News

Webster annual TM discord over budget delay; Bay Path on hold

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

“Ladies and gentlemen, could I just have a show of hands? How many people have a budget in their hand?”

This was Finance Committee Chairman Michael Finamore’s first question in regard to the budget that was supposed to be voted on during Webster’s Annual Town Meeting held in the Bartlett School Auditorium on Monday, May 14. Town Administrator John McAuliffe made a motion to move Articles 2, 3, and 4 in regard to the budget to the June 11 Town Meeting.

Mr. Finamore went on to state, “Why are we here? We’re here to act upon the budget…the budget should be ready tonight. I make a motion to approve the budget as presented to the Finance Committee, the School Committee and Town Administrator.”

Acting Town Moderator Deborah Keefe went on to state that such paperwork is not required and any provided by the town is a courtesy. Mr. McAuliffe went on to explain that this was the first time he has ever delayed a budget in Webster because it was “that difficult.”

According to Mr. McAuliffe, the town budget has been set but the state aid number has not yet been finalized. “I would rather eat crow and say we need another month.” Mr. McAuliffe stated.

Finance Committee members Joseph Beresik and Mr. Finamore took turns at the podium to relate their concerns over the budget. Mr. Finamore stated to the crowd that the school administrators took a 10-15% raise last year and some might retire on that higher salary. “You weren’t told that at last year’s meeting.” Mr. Finamore said.

He went on to state that they get 80% of their pay for a pension as well as the School Committee receiving an extra $819,519 for the fiscal year. Mr. Finamore also showed figures for the budget having a $159,022 deficit for the present fiscal year. The articles were moved to June 11.

Article 5, part of a “housekeeping” package that tidies up some finances passed unanimously.

Article 6 was to continue revolving funds for certain departments. The funds are generated through fees locally collected. The article passed unanimously.

Articles, 7, 8, 9 and 10 were for the replacement and repairs to roofs of the Wastewater Treatment Facility, sewer pump stations, rehabilitation of the primary and secondary clarifiers at the facility and the Park Road water storage tank. Each article contained the wording, “including all costs incidental and related thereto.”

This brought up red flags for the Finance Committee and again, Michael Finamore and Joseph Bereski took the podium to have those words omitted from the articles. Mr. Finamore wanted to know why the repairs on the roof are not included in the $15,000,000 Capital Improvements bond for the wastewater facility. DPW Director J.T. Gaucher explained that town officials decided that the repairs were maintenance items and should be paid for out of the budget. The $130,000 for replacement of two roofs at the plant would be divided between retained earnings from sewer, $110,000 and water $20,000. Another $50,000 would come from retained earnings to replace roofs of five pump stations. $150,000 would be transferred from Sewer Retained Earnings to address the clarifiers.

In regard to the water tank, $600,000 was requested for the work on the tank but the Finance Committee requested that the number be brought to $450,000 and if more funds were needed, they could be asked for later. The consent by the town officials was that the $600,000 would be inflated if there were no lead paint present in the tank.

All requested amendments were voted out and all articles were unanimously approved.

Before Article 10 was presented, Mr. Bereski requested a recount for a quorum. The recount came back at 64, only three more than the necessary number needed.

Mr. Bereski addressed the crowd, “You know ladies and gentlemen, it’s sad that we only have three over the limit that we need, (quorum) very sad…thank you for being here tonight.”

Article 11, the retirees cost of living increase passed.

Article 12 was ruled out of order as it can only be passed by a change in the town charter.

Article 13 where no town employee may serve on a Personnel Advisory Board also passed.

Article 14, in regard to Bay Path School was passed over as the project is now on hold.

 

 

Price Chopper to move Webster store to new East Village Square Mall

It's official. Mike O'Brien, principal of Galaxy Development, has confirmed that Price Chopper will build a 70,000 sq. ft state-of-the art grocery store to be opened next spring. The store will be located in the new East Village Square Mall, site of the former Cranston Print Works at the intersection of Rts. 12 and 16.

 

 

AG disapproves boat size restrictions for Webster Lake

WEBSTER – At a Special Town Meeting on December 5, 2011, Webster voters approved a citizen-sponsored warrant item (Article 9) that would restrict the size of boats allowed on Webster Lake to 40 feet in length.

The State’s Office of the Attorney General  yesterday disapproved the proposed article because “the Town lacks the authority to adopt by-laws regulating boating on Webster Lake.”

The decision was based on Massachusetts General Laws 131, Section 45, which limits the general regulatory power of cities and towns to “great ponds” that are less than five hundred acres in size. Webster Lake has 1270 acres.

The Attorney General also rendered moot Article 10, which sought to limit the operation of commercial vessels to between sunrise and sunset. This article was intended to rescind and replace a time restriction article approved at the October 17, 2011, Town Meeting that had already been disapproved by the Attorney General’s office on April 19.

The AG report recommends that the Town either file for special legislation to authorize the Town to adopt by-laws regulating Webster Lake or to petition the Massachusetts Environmental Police, Division of Law Enforcement, to amend the DLE Webster Lake regulations to include the restrictions outlined in Articles  9 and 10.

The report noted that the office had received correspondence from Webster’s Town Counsel, as well as communications from residents.

One residents’ letter urged approval of Articles 9 and 10 on the basis that Webster Lake is actively being used by the Town of Webster as an indirect source of water supply, thus exempting the Lake from the application of M.G.L  131, Section 45. However, Town Counsel confirmed that no water is being taken directly from Webster Lake for water supply purposes, nor did Town Counsel contend that it was.

The report also notes a communication from a resident citing DLE regulations that refer to “boating activity authorized by the Town of Webster and approved by the Division of Law Enforcement.” The AG confirmed with the DLE that this reference cannot be construed as a “grant of authority to the Town to adopt by-laws governing Webster Lake.”

Both of these warrant articles were intended to stop a proposal by local businessman Christopher Robert to bring a paddle wheel boat to Webster Lake for history and scenic tours and special events.

Assistant Attorney General Margaret J. Hurley, Chief of the Central Massachusetts Division and Director of the Municipal Law Unit, signed the opinion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bartlett Senior Fitchburg State bound

Senior Alexis Podedworny

Text and Photos by Steev Riccardo

Webster – When you spend six years of your teenage life in the same place, it’s difficult not to grow and change along the way.

Senior Alexis Podedworny, who grew up in Webster, is now experiencing her last few weeks at Bartlett High School, and she’s had quite a ride since beginning school here in the seventh grade.

Podedworny is, for the most part, an average high school senior although her grades are above average and she plays three sports.  She works at K Mart, and likes going to the mall and the movies.

She has always had a love for sports and when she was younger “had dreams of playing with Jenny Finch on the US Softball team,” what she now calls a ”little kid dreaming.”

As primarily a reserve, she played soccer for six years, made strides and has started on the girls softball team; she also started running track “to get better prepared for softball season.” 

“I don’t consider myself the fastest runner, so it helped me get a jump start on my running,” is how she explained her decision to try out for and make the indoor track team in her senior year.

Her softball coach and English teacher, Colleen Nasis, has been an inspiration to Podedworny both as a coach and a teacher. “Seeing Lexi and how she has she has grown up since the seventh grade—I’m very proud of her.”

“When she was younger she was very quiet and meek and had no confidence whatsoever in academics and in athletics,” said Nasis.  “She has worked extremely hard not just to gain confidence but to be one of the best in her class.  I’m proud because she didn’t make the softball team in her seventh grade year, and she cried—but it didn’t stop her from coming back out for the team the next year. She won’t quit; she doesn’t like to be out on the spotlight with anything but she definitely is proud of her accomplishments as we are. In school itself, I don’t think there are many stronger students than she is: her work ethic, holding a job, paying for things on her own, being a positive role model for her family and continuing on to Fitchburg State.”

Nasis played an even bigger role in Podedworny’s life than Nasis may have realized. “She’s been a role model to me not just on the field but in the classroom and as a person.  She likes to help everyone; she helped me in the seventh grade when my parents were going through a divorce. I didn’t speak to my parents at all about it.”

But she did speak to Nasis about the inner turmoil she was going through. Nasis could relate to Podedworny’s struggling having seen her own family strife first hand. “My parents divorced and I remember how I felt also. She looked really scared. I knew her mother, and our families have known each other from being in town. My cousin and her mother were roommates in college. She was able to use that tough time and create something positive for herself; she didn’t give up.”

As the years went on and Nasis remained in the picture, it made it easier for Podedworny to understand and deal with her own parents’ divorce.

She also heard her coach say that she was someone that she expected to see good things from on the softball field this year.  Simply hearing her coach express that made her feel as though she has accomplished a lot. The fact that she wasn’t one of the team stars didn’t matter because it was about her role and being part of the team.

Podedworny has a lot of close friends at the school including her softball teammate, Dani Stone, and has enjoyed her high school years but says, “My high school experience was pretty exciting, but in all honesty it’s time to move on to the real world and move on to bigger things.”

The bigger things Podedworny speaks of will revolve around majoring in Graphic Design at Fitchburg State University, something she is very excited about.


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Sister shares her miracle cure with St. Joseph School students

Miracles happen.  But how often is one privileged to be in the presence of the recipient of such a blessing?  On April 30, 2012, the students and faculty of St. Joseph School, along with many parishioners of St. Joseph Basilica, welcomed Sister Marie Simon-Pierre Normand, whose miraculous cure from Parkinson’s disease led to the beatification of Blessed Pope John Paul II.

Sister was introduced by Principal Donald Cushing and the welcoming address was given in French by students, Paul Davey and Lucas Yash, Grade 4 students in Father Gregory’s French class at St. Joseph School.  Speaking in her native French, Sister Normand talked about the pain and suffering she experienced during her illness, including the loss of her ability to write.  In 2005, shortly after the pope’s death, Sister’s tremors and pain from Parkinson’s were so unbearable that she was unable to continue her nursing work and asked to be replaced, knowing she was destined for life in a wheelchair.

Sister Marie Thomas Fabre (who accompanied Sister Normand to the United States), asked the sisters of their congregation to pray on Sister Normand’s behalf for the intercession of John Paul II, who also suffered from Parkinson’s disease.  On June 2, 2005, Sister Normand was able to write again and instinctively knew she had been cured of the disease.  Sister Marie Thomas, Sister Normand’s Sister Superior in 2005 and now Mother General of the Little Sisters of Catholic Maternity, also spoke to those present about her role as a witness to the cure of Sister Normand.  She related her experience from the beginning of Sister Normand’s diagnosis through her miraculous cure.  After her presentation, Sister Normand graciously posed for pictures with the students and greeted parishioners in attendance.  The Sisters’ testimony was translated for the students by Sister Marie Judith Dupuy, SSA, Director of the Haitian Apostolate for the Diocese of Worcester.  This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the students of St. Joseph School was arranged by Marie Romagnano, RN founder of Healthcare Professionals for Divine Mercy and a member of St. Joseph Basilica parish.

Vendors wanted for 2nd Annual Sidewalk Sale in downtown Webster

When: Saturday, June 23, 2012

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

(Rain date June 30)
Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Set up: 7:45 a.m.
Where: Downtown Main Street
Webster Fee: $10 WDBA members, downtown businesses & non-profits; $20 all others
Who: All local businesses, crafters, artists, non-profit groups, food vendors, etc. Vendors must bring their own table or other display setup. For a registration form email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 508-949-6232.

Face2Face at Bartlett Jr./Sr. High School

Sheriff brings message about dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

Sheriff Lew Evangelidis spoke to students last week at Bartlett High as part of his Face2Face Program. Pictures (L to R) Officer Rodney Budrow, Officer Cindy Johnson, Bartlett Teacher Corrie Morrissey, Sheriff Lew Evangilidis, Acting Bartlett High School Principal Stephen DLott, Webster Police Chief Timothy Bent (photo by Steev Riccardo)

WEBSTER – Since the beginning of the school year, Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis has been on a mission presenting his Face2Face drug and alcohol prevention and education program twice a week to Middle School and High School students from across the region. In his commitment to personally bring this message to every school district in his jurisdiction, the sheriff has already met with over 15,000 school kids from every corner of Worcester County. On Tuesday he paid a very special visit to Bartlett Jr./Sr. High School to meet with over 200 students in the 9th & 10th grades. The Sheriff’s Face2Face system uses cutting edge technology and special computer software to simulate the shocking effects substance abuse can have on a person’s appearance over time. Students at Bartlett Jr./Sr. High School were able to see, firsthand, the potentially devastating impacts that drug use can have on their very own classmates.

"We would like to thank Sheriff Evangelidis for coming to Webster today and visiting with our students at Bartlett Jr./Sr. High School to present the Face2Face drug and alcohol prevention program. The Sheriff’s Face2Face message was extremely informative and sent a strong message to our teens about the dangers and serious consequences of drug and alcohol use. Our department is looking forward to having the Sheriff visit our schools in Webster every year with the Face2Face Program," said Webster Chief of Police Timothy Bent.



With each brick, CPW employees remember the past

By Ginger Costen 
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER – There was a time when all three parking lots were full as generations of Cranston Print Works employees produced 90 yards of fabric per minute often seven days a week – 24 hours a day.

"We were a family and the only way you could get a job at CPW was to know someone," said Ron Leboeuf, former Maintenance Supervisor. "I started working there in 1966 after my brother got me the job and I worked for 21 weeks without a day off."

Leboeuf started as an electrician’s helper and eventually became the maintenance supervisor for a department of 35 people. "I liked the electrical part of it the best and enjoyed troubleshooting and fixing things better than installations or the stress of managing people."

Everything was done by hand and the work was physically hard often requiring two ‘jackmen’ to lift a 400 pound roller with mandrel up to their shoulders to put into place for printing. "We did a lot of ‘bull-work’ and only had four fork lifts when I started," he said. "But we made a lot of improvements over the years and when we closed we had over 40 fork lifts."

As with any other company, there were ups and downs. "When I started there was a 21 million-yard backlog in fabric and this was right after all employees had taken a ten percent pay cut to help keep the company open.

"In 1965 we all agreed to take a ten percent cut just to stay in business," added 34-year employee and Color Technologist Mike Costen. "But after Doug Martland took over and turned things around, in 1969 we got everything back plus a little bit more," finished Leboeuf.

"That was in the 1960’s and by the 1970’s we were working 24/7 and there was never a lull in operation," said Lebouef. "In the 80’s we started to slow down a bit and only worked five hours every other Saturday and had Sundays off."

But then in the 1990’s the company experienced their first union strike. "It was scary," said Ron’s wife Carol Leboeuf. "I had to take Ron to work and every day we had to cross the picket line."

Although the strike was resolved, Leboeuf said he feels the strike brought a new attitude to the workplace. "More and more people started saying it wasn’t their job so you just got used to doing things yourself."

Both Leboeuf and Costen stated they felt that "what helped make the company - helped to ultimately close the doors completely in 2011."

"In the beginning, we had 85 percent of the business and sold to the American clothing manufacturers but as production went overseas so did our market," said Lebouef. "So when Wal-Mart started buying fabric for the home consumer, we were able to broaden our markets."

As long as Sam Walton was alive and in charge of his corporate policy by giving priority to American made products, this helped the company survive through the 1990’s. With the passing of Sam Walton came an end of that era and the profit-margin mindset for the Wal-Mart Corporation began.

By the start of the 21st Century, Wal-Mart was purchasing cheaper and lesser quality fabrics directly from overseas markets slowly reducing the volume needed to supply their operations. Then in 2005 when Wal-Mart made the decision to close almost all of their craft/fabric departments, CPW began closing all of their remaining American manufacturing plants. The Webster location, one of the oldest continually producing mills in America, stopped full production in 2009.

"Ironically, it’s the very company that helped us keep going that also helped bring an end to our American production," said Costen. "And to add another twist to this story; last winter Wal-Mart decided they’d made a mistake by closing all the fabric/craft departments and are now restructuring their stores to once again make room for this merchandise."

Many of the new Super Wal-Marts are now offering a full line of CPW fabrics that are made overseas and sent to company warehouses for distribution. The exclusive CPW quilt-quality line of Timeless Treasures and designer fabrics will remain at specialty shops around the world.

In December, as the pre-demolition work started at the former Webster plant it was Mr. Leboeuf’s job to turn off the lights on the past so the future of the East Village Square shopping center could begin.

This past week Mr. Leboeuf and Mr. Costen paused at what will probably always be known as Cranston Corner to watch the 130-foot smoke stack and last structure come down. "It’s hard to envision how it all used to look when now all you have is a nice pile of junk," said Leboeuf.

This story is part of an ongoing series that will highlight the stories and memories of former employees and the families of Cranston Print Works Webster Division. If you care to include your personal story and memories, we would love to hear from you. Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

To be continued…

 

 

Community support helps Bartlett Art Department grow

Zoey Pierce and teacher Rebecca Osborne

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

While visiting the Bartlett High School Art department recently and interviewing some its bright, rising students, I heard some exciting news from department head Sean Harrington.

The Art Department has just received a $10,000 grant from the Janet Malser Humanities Trust, the second year in a row that they had received funding from the community trust fund.

Harrington was rightfully excited as this money would be used “to continue improving and expanding” the school’s digital media class. “We are really excited that we will have more equipment to help enhance our art program and prepare our kids for the real world.”

In his twenty-first year with the department, Harrington, who is from Coventry, Rhode Island and attended Rhode Island College for both his Masters Degree in teaching and a degree in sculpture, has seen plenty of changes over the years.

Since joining the department in 1991, he has started a ceramics program and most recently opened the school’s media arts lab.

Harrington could “see that this was the way it was going,” but the department “lacked the technology element in their program.”  He heard about The Janet Malser Humanities Trust and “thought that this was a great opportunity for us and what we could benefit the most with was computers and digital cameras which seemed to be the thing that would really spark an interest with students and keep this department growing.”

Sean Harrington (center) and art students.


It turned out to be a good call. The department got its equipment and while Harrington still stresses “the fundamentals of art making and design,” they have moved forward into a new era of technology—but at the same time remain traditionalists in their teaching approach.”

The school’s art teacher, Rebecca Osborne, who is from Spencer and went to David Prouty High School, teaches Introduction to 2D Art, Drawing, and Painting. A graduate of the  Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, with a teaching degree from Framingham State and a Masters Degree from UMass Amherst, she is in her fourth year at the high school.

Osborne, who teaches about 70-80 students—and also an artist herself—complements Harrington, who teaches introduction to 3D, Sculpting, Ceramics and Digital Media Arts; the two have a very good working relationship. “We are very supportive of each other but able to critique each other’s practices in a meaningful way.”

“I enjoy it (art) and I think it’s important for students to see their teacher is actually working as an artist. Some of the students, when they first come in, ask you if you can draw and if you are good at art.  They don’t assume that you have your own set of skills; they assume that you are just there telling them what to do, so I think its important to show them that you are capable as an artist and that you do know what you are doing and that you are able to teach them effectively and guide them,” said Osborne.

“I’m into ceramics, which is interesting, since I don’t teach that here. But I think it really allows me to focus on my teaching and not let it get intertwined with what I do outside of school so I don’t burn out from one thing or the other.” 

Osborne works at home in her studio with clay and attends craft fairs and art shows on weekends where she sets up a tent and sells artwork along with other artists at area festivals “everywhere from Hartford to Boston and New York City.”

The diversity of Harrington and Osborne is evidenced in the interesting art you see coming from their students.

One of the school’s rising art stars is junior Tiffany Barber, who has taken a real liking to ceramics and sculpting and has a bright future in Art.

“Ever since I was little I have been drawing and coloring, and I got really good at it and people started noticing it and I realized that I had a talent,” said Barber.

“When I was a freshman I took an art class and I felt like it was going slow. I felt ahead of the class and I wanted to do something more and different, and ceramics was different. It was using your hands more and creating something out of nothing. That’s kind if what drawing is but you see something in your mind. With clay you have to really sculpt it and put everything together and it’s harder. I wasn’t good at it at first, but now I think I am good. I create a lot of things that people like.”

“Tiffany is really talented and making some very interesting sculptural forms mostly,” said Harrington.  “She has created some really amazing things.  She has worked really hard and is independent and enjoys coming here.”

“Mr. Harrington is a really good artist and he has showed me how to perfect my skills. He is a really good teacher, he really helps you,” said the junior who hopes to attend art school following her senior year.

“People always want to go into what they like best, Art is the one thing I am really good at. I tried sports, I tried cheerleading, and I liked it but I wasn’t 100% into it all times. With Art I am 100% into it”.

She knows it is going to take a lot more hard work and commitment to get to the next level. “To get into Art school you have to create a portfolio. They want drawings, pictures of your art, you have to be a little bit of everything.”

Junior Mina Zaky is the opposite of Barber in many ways. He doesn’t draw or paint or sculpt but has an eye with a camera and computers that has allowed him to excel in the media arts classes.

“We handpicked students for the media arts class,” said Harrington. “I went around to study halls and asked kids if they wanted to be part of it, and at first I don’t think he (Zaky) wanted to—but then he thought about it and decided he would try the class out. He’s been doing very well.”

Harrington knew that kids are really good with computers and trying to figure things out. “I am a traditional artist, so I am at the same level as they are now with computers.  It’s a great tool to learn about art with, but you still have to be creative and use the tool and not just let it become a shiny object.”

Zaky had not done anything with photography at all before the chance meeting with Harrington but has become one of the class’s prize students. “I didn’t know we had a digital arts class, and I needed to fill in a class and Mr. Harrington was in there and he was just starting it. I was the first student in there, so I said that I would try it.  I wasn’t very artistic, so working with photos instead of drawing was better for me. Photography really is the best art for me.”  


“Its definitely something I might want to look into as far as my career path goes”, said Zaky, who has excellent grades in school and also was named co-captain of the school’s football team next season, “I could see myself using this stuff in the future, the photo stuff is pretty cool. It would be a cool job to take pictures of the NFL someday.”

While Barber is creating with ceramics and Zaky is pondering shooting pro football players, junior Zooey Pierce is sketching in line with traditional painters.

“When I started doing art, I felt a connection” said Pierce, who wants to be a paramedic but also hopes to continue making art.

Pierce, who also sketches a lot outside of school, is a big fan of photographer Nan Golden. “She captures emotions in every picture and it displays different emotions so its not the same emotion repeating.”

The thing that really makes it click for Pierce while she is in art class is the communication and the critique that she gets from not only her teacher but also her peers, which gives her a lot of motivation to create.

“Mrs. Osborne pushes me. When it’s good, she wants me to make it better,” said Pierce. “There are a lot of people here that help each other.”  One of is her best friend, Andrea Frenniere. “We paint each other a lot and that really helps.”

The Bartlett Art department is thriving, and with help from the community it will continue to expand and grow and keep the arts alive.

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Webster unveils new animal shelter to huge crowd

Gerald and Marilyn Fels

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo (more photos follow)

Webster – The Town of Webster proudly cut the ribbon for the opening of its new Animal Shelter this past Saturday morning (April 21) in front of an estimated crowd of more than 100 people, which included town officials and state Senator Richard T. Moore.

The new building was donated to the town by Marilyn Fels of the Fels Foundation, who hired her brother Dick Kelly of Kelly & Kelly to build the modern facility. The new shelter has heating in the floors and indoor/outdoor rooms, which Animal Control Officer Michelle LaFleche said “is important for the animals so they can go outdoors.”  

“We went from an outhouse to a penthouse,” said LaFleche, and that was not much of a reach considering the upgrade.  “We now have everything we need, thanks to Marilyn Fels.”

“Marilyn has been a big supporter of us throughout the years and has always provided us with funds and helped us pay our bills.” said LaFleche.

Mrs. Fels was on hand for the celebration and said “It had to be done for a long time and we did it.  We had my brother build it and we are donating it to the town.”

“I just want to say thank you so much to the Fels for all the donations and work they did,” said Selectwoman Deb Keefe.  “Hopefully we will be setting standards for animal shelters and adoptions.”

Selectman Mark G. Dowgiewicz added, “It’s beautiful. It’s a vast improvement over what we have had the last 30 years. Hopefully we will be able to put some of these dogs up for adoption.”

“The building is amazing, it’s like something you would see in a large city,” said Town Manager John McAuliffe. “All this was only made possible by the benevolence and the generosity of the Fels and we are deeply indebted to them; they are really amazing people.”

Selectman Dan Ricci said  “I think it’s been phenomenal; the shelter is great for Webster.”

The town selectmen gave Mrs. Fels a plaque and some flowers to express their tremendous gratitude towards her for the outstanding donation.

The shelter is located just inside the entrance to the Webster Pumping station.

Selectmen Chairman Dan Ricci addressing the gathering
as Mrs. Fels looks on.

Marilyn Fels cuts the ribbon officially opening the new Webster animal Shelter. Pictured (l to r) Selectman Dan Ricci, Selectman Mark Dowgiewicz, Marilyn Fels, Gerry Fels, Senator Richard Moore, Selectman Deb Keefe, Selectman Don Bourque and Town Administrator John McAuliffe.


Marilyn Fels and Animal Control Officer Michelle LaFleche

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