WEBSTER – The Empire Wok restaurant was allowed to reopen this week after it had complied with all of the requirements stipulated by the Board of Health after a March 12 inspection by Health Agent Cathleen Liberty. . That inspection found eight critical violations that relate to food-borne illnesses, and the Board closed the restaurant on March on March 19. The bar was allowed to stay open.

“They successfully completed everything the Board asked them to do in order to reopen,” said Ms. Liberty.

The Board recommended that the restaurant increase the staff who are ServSafe certified, from just one, to two of the kitchen staff and two of the food prep staff, and that has been done.

Ms. Liberty also suggested that Empire Wok hire a  reputable food consultant to work with the staff to ensure ongoing compliance, and it has retained the Berger Food Safety Consulting company out of Boston.

Additionally, the restaurant hired a cleaning company who did “a spectacular job of cleaning the kitchen,” she said.

On a visit to the restaurant since it reopened, owner Dong Yeo Ying was happy to point out that he had taken advantage of the shutdown to do some renovation, including new carpeting throughout the restaurant and bar. He also rearranged the kitchen to accommodate a new walk-in cooler and make it more efficient.

Ms. Liberty said that normally food establishments are visited twice a year; Empire Wok will be inspected more frequently.

Monday March 26, 2012 
Incident/Event Location:  71 Klebart Ave., Webster

More photos follow.

Particulars:   On Monday March 26^th, just after 3 PM, Webster firefighters were summonsed to a home located 71 Klebart Ave. for a fire in the brush behind the house.  Upon arrival, firefighters found a very fast moving, wind-driven fire eating up the wooded area behind two houses in the area.  Fire Chief Brian Hickey recognized an immediate need for help and summonsed the neighboring Dudley and Oxford fire departments to assist his department in bringing the brush fire under control.  Firefighters quickly contained the fire and kept it from involving the two dwellings that were threatened.

Six pieces of apparatus responded to the scene with approximately 15 firefighters from the three communities.  The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes, but firefighters remained on scene for the next hour wetting down stubborn hot spots.  Webster jakes would return to the site a couple hours later as the fire had re-ignited from buried embers of the first fire.  The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.  There were no injuries.

No open air burning permits were being allowed at the time of the fire due to a combination of high winds, tinder dry brush conditions, and low humidity.

Photos:

Bartlett Jr./Sr. High School hosted the 19th annual Central Mass. Junior Show Choir Festival on Saturday, March 24 in the Jacqueline Puliafico Theatre at BHS.

This highly anticipated event never disappoints as the audience spends a wonderful evening of song and dance by exceptional junior high performers.

The schools gather on Friday evening to practice their routines and return for an all day event on Saturday with their efforts culminating in a great evening of entertainment.

The vocal clinician, Becky Bussiere whips up a grand finale spectacular with all students converging on stage to perform two routines they perfected in just one and a half days. Of course, she has the help of hubby Greg "Bubba" Bussiere as choreographer.

This year, six schools converged on Bartlett to participate in the festival. Besides the junior show choir at BHS "New Attitude," also competing were Charlton Middle School’s "Mirage," Dudley Middle School’s "Prestige," Lincoln Middle School’s "Silver City Singers," Tantasqua Regional Jr. High School’s "The Maestros," and Windsor Locks Middle School’s "Power Company." The Bartlett High School Senior Show Choir "Impressions" gave an exhibition performance of their dynamic routine following the competition.

The festival director was Peter Carney of Bartlett Jr./Sr. High School, and coordinator was Leslie Baker with Masters of Ceremonies Nick Arsenault and Andrew Jolda of Arsen Entertainment. Members of the Bartlett Music Boosters worked diligently in the background to keep everything running smoothly.

Adjudicators for the competition were Jen Dowdle, Connie Galli, Johanne McIvor and Becky Bussiere.

It was a "gold" evening for Dudley Middle School’s Prestige. Their outstanding performance earned them Gold and Best in Show. Bartlett Jr. High and Charlton Middle School each earned Silver ratings. Greg Bussiere is the choreographer for all three schools.

Congratulations to all schools on a great 2012 festival and we look forward to next year.

On Monday, March 26, Webster selectmen unanimously approved the transfer of the liquor license for Mohegan Bowl in Webster. Long-time owner Irene Pelletier, who founded the business in 1959 with her husband, will be retiring and selling the business to Ed & Kelli Kinsley of Mendon, MA.  The Kinsleys currently operate another bowling center in North Attleboro, MA. They explained to the Selectmen that the facility will undergo a major renovation to expand the business into a “Family Entertainment Center” offering Kids Birthday Parties, Corporate Parties, Family Bowling Specials, a large redemption game arcade, ice cream and a new casual dining restaurant-pub. They will also continue to offer traditional league bowling and work to maintain Mohegan’s position as one of the leading candlepin centers in New England.

The Kinsley’s stated that, during the initial phase, they will invest approximately $600,000 to renovate the aging facility with new lanes, automatic scoring, new furnishings and arcade games as well as cosmetic improvements such as paint and carpet. They further explained that the bowling industry has changed over the past 20 years, league bowling has declined and modern centers need to offer a variety of different flavors of bowling to make up for the lost business. Ed Kinsley said, “The traditional bowling center is like an ice cream store that only sells vanilla. Our goal is to offer a variety of “flavors” of bowling to appeal to all age groups from little kids to senior citizens. We host kids parties, corporate events, offer late night bowling for college students and cosmic bowling every Friday and Saturday night, family bowling specials on weekend days, as well as the traditional leagues.”

Kelli Kinsley further explained, “We have a 9-year-old son, and we recognize the need for a clean, safe place where families can go and have fun. We are very family- and kid-oriented. At our other facility, we have also been fortunate to participate in fundraisers for groups such as Make-A-Wish, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Relay for Life, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness and many others. We look forward to bringing that tradition of community involvement to Mohegan as well.”

The transaction is expected to close in mid-May, and the facility will remain open over the summer during the remodeling work. The Kinsley’s have a target date of Labor Day weekend for having all improvements completed.

On March 24, 2012 at approximately 7:34 pm Webster Police were dispatched to the intersection of Thompson Rd. and Lake Parkway for a reported Motor Vehicle Crash. It was further reported that a vehicle had struck a pedestrian.

Officers Michael Reardon, Michael Lee, and Aaron Suss responded to the call. Upon their arrival, they discovered that the lone vehicle involved in the crash had fled the scene travelling south on Thompson Rd. after having struck the pedestrian. The pedestrian who was crossing Thompson Rd. (Rt. 193) suffered injuries as a result of the crash and was transported by Webster EMS to UMass Hospital in Worcester.

Through the investigation a description of the suspect vehicle was obtained. Witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a sport utility type vehicle, possibly a Kia. Pieces of a "Putnam Kia" dealership license plate holder were discovered on scene. The SUV should have damage consistent with having struck a person on the front bumper, hood or windshield area of the vehicle. There may be blood present on the suspect vehicle, as well.

Anyone with further information regarding the case is encouraged to contact Webster Police at 508-943-1212 or the Webster Police Detective Bureau tips line at 508-949-3874. Anonymous tips are welcome. Webster Police may also be contacted anonymously by texting "WPD01570" to 847411. Anonymous tips may also be forwarded through our website www.websterpolice.com. Officers Michael Reardon and Michael Lee are investigating.

Webster - The Board of Health renewed the year-round operations permit for the Webster Family Campground at a special meeting March 12. The board issued the permit with the condition that owner Michael Finamore present a plan by November 1 for providing year-round running water to the individual camper residents.

Mr. Finamore has operated his campground on Gore Road (Rt. 16) with yearly permits from the town for 38 years. The campground has a non-municipal water supply, private wells, and is governed by the Department of Environmental Protection. By deed, Webster Family Campground can operate 104 registered campsites, of which 24 can be year-round sites.

The state Department of Public Health regulations, however, stipulate that camp sites open year round provide water directly to each site. Mr. Finamore’s campground residents carry water from the well house to their individual trailer tanks during the winter months. The campground’s water lines are above ground, which is acceptable during the warmer part of the year, but they may freeze during the winter months.

All other utilities, including electric, cable, gas for furnaces, security, and sanitation are provided year-round.

“Webster Family Campground is in violation of the state sanitary code,” said Health Agent Cathleen Liberty. “If I have to go by the book, it’s seasonal.”

The board stipulated that Ms. Liberty will make unannounced monthly visits to the campground to check on the water conditions. There was a recent instance of excess chlorine in one of the wells, prompting BOH concern. Mr. Finamore said the well is now not accessible to tenants.

Board members and Mr. Finamore discussed a timeline for providing a permanent water supply for each trailer.  He asked for five years, but the board insisted that Mr. Finamore formulate a plan this year, and begin implementation within two years.

All the current residents of the campground, eleven total, accompanied Mr. Finamore to the Board of Health meeting, and several spoke on his behalf, explaining that various life circumstances have made the campground their permanent home.  Some of them have been there for many years, and they are a close-knit community, helping each other out.  If one of them is not able to carry water to his trailer, there will be someone to do it for him, they said.

Residents expressed their gratitude to the board for allowing them to stay.

Selectman Walter D. Ricci, current board chairman, will have three opponents when he runs for re-election in May. They are Brian A. Chenevert, Robert J. Miller, and Paul O'Donnell. Mr. Miller has served as selectman previously.

Unopposed candidates for two 3-year school committee seats are incumbents Michael Makara and Craig T. McNulty.

Thomas V. Mroczek will run for the open 3-year Regional Vocational School Committee seat.

Joseph J. Smith III will run for re-election for a 5-year seat on the Redevelopment Authority.

David J. Zalewski will run for re-election for the Board of Health. Nancie Zecco, recently appointed to the Board of Health to fill a vacancy, will run for the remaining two years of the term.

Joseph J. Smith III, incumbent assessor, will be challenged by Joseph S. Beresik.

James A. Chauvin and Catherine V. Martin are both running for re-election to the board of library trustees for 3-year terms.

Robert T. Craver will be the candidate for re-election for Town Clerk.

Open seats with no one running are two on the Finance Committee, each 3 years, and one for library trustee, a 2-year term.

Candidates have until April 4 to withdraw their names from the ballot.

Photos and text by Steev Riccardo

St. Joseph School in Webster may be one of the oldest schools in the area, at nearly 125 years old, but you may be surprised to learn that its technology in the classroom is certainly not old school, but some of the most advanced in the region.

In a recent visit to the school on Whitcomb Street, it became quite evident that the school is moving forward, not only with new technology and learning, but also with a brand new $5 million gymnasium in its future.

St. Joseph’s Principal Don Cushing, who has a long history in education in this area, came to the school four years ago and is further proof that the school is on a solid course.

Cushing (shown above) came out of semi-retirement to take over the helm at the school following several years as an assistant basketball coach and administrator at his alma mater Worcester State University.

Before that, Cushing spent two separate lengthy stints at Bartlett High School as a teacher and the boys head basketball coach, where his record with the most wins in school history still stands. He was also head varsity basketball coach at Nichols College for five years in between.  He is still regarded as one of the best coaches ever to work in this area.

Cushing recalled having one two-and-half hour session with the Monsignor Anthony Czarnecki and being offered and accepting the job as the school’s principal and has been happily in that position the last four years.

“It a wonderful school, a gem of a place,” he said, “The kids are outstanding students here; all of the students who graduated last year, for example, made the honor rolls this year at their current high schools. We do not have detention here. If I had to give out detention, I would have a hard time finding a slip. This is a very special place.”

The school has an enrollment of 130 students, Pre-K to 8^th grade, with students from all over the area including Webster, Dudley, Oxford, Thompson, Putnam, Douglas, Sutton, and even Southbridge, attending.

St. Joseph has already raised nearly half of the $5 million dollars needed for its expansion and its new gymnasium.  They hope to start building the foundation in July and open their new gymnasium in September 2013.  Cushing feels if they don’t meet that goal it will definitely open by December. 

The principal praised the school’s commitment towards athletics, which is deep in its history.  They have had a successful basketball program that, under their former coach Lisa Sabacinaski, had two undefeated teams in the last five years.
One of those teams featured current Bartlett High School basketball captain Matt Huberdault, who Cushing praised and said was “a good kid, a sharpshooter on the court, and a good representative of our school, and a good representative of Bartlett High School.”

Cushing also raved about past student Tom Wozniak, who averaged 45 points a game and scored a remarkable 2000 points in his career at the school. Wozniak went on to star at both St. Peter Marian and Clark University.  Of course Cushing jokingly added that he recruited him heavily while at Bartlett.

St. Joseph competes in the 395 tournament against the other Webster parochial schools St. Ann’s and St Louis every year.  Despite losing on the court to St. Louis this year, Cushing was happy that the St. Joseph cheerleaders won the cheerleading competition.

The great athletics program goes hand-in-hand with the school’s outstanding academics, which produces a record number of honor students.

This past January the school formed an eight-member marketing committee to help spread the word of the school’s immense success and to recruit and continue fundraising for the new gymnasium.

Dick Skrocki, who wears many hats at the school, including dean of students, science teacher, technology advisor, committee member or “Dean of Everything” as he put it, has been working at several levels to raise the awareness of the schools many offerings.

“The marketing committee was established because we are trying to increase enrollment and that is the primary goal of the committee,” said Skrocki.

“So far we have been pretty successful. It was been part of the marketing committee’s job to put up the signs you see in certain locations around Webster.  The committee is an ongoing process, we are having meetings in order to expand on what is good about the school.”

One thing that is working very well at the school is the Promethean Interactive Boards, which Skrocki brought into the school. These boards can be found in every classroom and have advanced the school’s learning potential greatly.

“They are essentially huge computer screens that allow the students to be more involved and interactive in the learning process,” said Skrocki.

“I am a certified trainer for the interactive white boards that the school now has in many of its classrooms.  The school’s boards are top of the line. What is good about these boards is that I can do a lesson today and if a student is absent I can bring it back up for them to see when they come back to school.” 

St Joseph School mixes both old school and new school brilliantly, setting a high standard for learning. Webster is fortunate to have such an institution in its backyard.

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Date:  Thursday March 15, 2012

Location:  Bartlett Jr./Sr. High School, Webster

More  photos follow.

Particulars:   On Thursday afternoon March 15^th, the entire 7^th grade class of Bartlett Junior High School gathered in the school cafeteria to kick off a pep rally of sorts.  The occasion for the event was to pump students’ confidence levels up for the upcoming MCAS standardized testing.  The rally was also a great way for their teachers and the school’s faculty to show their support of the students in gaining a “Proficient” score of at least “240” on their exams.  Teachers stressed to the students that they already possess the skills and the knowledge to tackle the tests, and they should believe in their abilities.

This is the 2^nd Annual MCAS “240”party that has been held at the school and it was attended by the entire 7^th grade class.  This year’s festivities included a cupcake decorating competition which highlighted the “240” score theme.  The battle cry was “Take a BITE out of the MCAS!”  On hand to give a few words of encouragement and judge some very well decorated cupcakes were School Superintendent Dr. Gregory Ciardi, Principal Dr. Steve Dlott, and Helen Rowlings, the school’s Vice Principal.  Lara DeRose and Sarah Kane organized the event.

Bartlett Junior High School would like to thank the Webster Shaw’s Supermarket for their generosity in donating the cupcakes, frosting and other decorations that made the event possible, as well as Beth Esposito and the Bartlett Jr. High PTO.

Photos:

Grateful family: John Hanley, Zachary Urbanowski, and mom, Diane Hanley.

(Two special guests spoke of their experiences in the Hubbard Emergency Room at last week’s official launch of Harrington’s $8.8 million fundraising campaign.)

Eleven-year old Zachary Urbanowski lives with his mom Diane Hanley and stepdad John Hanley in Douglas. On February 4 they attended his cousin’s birthday party in Webster.  After going to the bathroom, Zach began to have severe head pain, started vomiting, and lost consciousness.

Mr. Hanley carried Zach’s limp body to the Emergency Room at Hubbard. There, he was attended by Dr. Christian Menard, who immediately ordered a CT scan of Zach’s head. It showed that he had bleeding on the brain.  Such a severe condition dictated that he be transported to a larger facility for emergency treatment. Dr. Menard and Nurse Leah Pidgeon stabilized Zach and prepared him for travel.

A Webster EMS ambulance was standing by at the facility, and Zach was rushed to UMass Medical, University Campus, in Worcester. “Please tell me that my son will live,” Mrs. Hanley pleaded as they left.

At UMass, doctors drilled two holes in Zach’s head; he had a 3mm brain aneurysm, and was diagnosed with “arteriovenous malfunction, a very serious condition in which blood flows directly from the arteries to the veins without the dampening effect of capillaries.

Zach was in the hospital for 16 days and continues to be treated at UMass.  The family had no prior indication that anything was wrong, said Mrs. Hanley.

The Hanleys credit Dr. Menard and Nurse Pidgeon with helping save Zach’s life. “He survived and is showing none of the usual side effects of this condition.”

If it hadn’t been for the Hubbard ER staff, we would have lost him, added Mrs. Hanley.

Zach is sitting out the rest of the school year, but isn’t skipping his classes. He’s working from home, and the school has set up a Skype account so Zach can participate, said Mrs. Hanley.

Asked about the event, Zach simply answered, “I don’t remember it.”

***

Dudley resident Charles Wheeler (above) knows a thing or two about hospitals and emergency rooms. He is a nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Hasbro hospital. He’s also a nurse practitioner, and he was an army medic for seven-and-a-half years.

Mr. Wheeler’s primary care physician is at UMass Medical, but two weeks ago he suffered a severe gastric condition that prompted him to go to the Emergency Room at Hubbard.

“I was met right off the bat; the receptionist was amazing,” he said. He described being in triage for just five minutes, then being treated by Dr. James Sullivan within 20 minutes.  “If I’d gone to UMass, I would have been there for hours.”

People don’t think of community hospitals having that kind of response, he said. “I came in and the staff was amazing,” he reiterated. It was the best ER experience one could have, as far as ER experiences go, he joked.

Mr. Wheeler was so impressed by Dr. Sullivan and the Hubbard ER staff that he has decided to change his primary care to the Harrington Health System.