Last game for Rams seniors

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER – The Shepherd Hill Rams girls' basketball team was eliminated from the District 1 playoffs by a familiar foe last week Tuesday night at Clark University, when they went down for the fourth time this season to the Holy Name Naps 55-33.

Along with another loss to an excellent Holy Name team came a final game for the team's seven seniors, some of whom have been a big part of this basketball team for the last few years.

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – Last year when we visited the Oxford High School Art Department, one of the students whom art teacher Jaimee Taborda raved about was Anissa White, then a junior.

Taborda said that White “works very hard to make things happen,” and that her peers see her as very talented. The art teacher also said that White was “getting to be more of her own artist and not just doing what I ask her to do.” She described her as being very focused.

Here we are a year later, and Anissa White is more driven and focused and active than ever, not just in art, but in many other things as well.

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent.

WEBSTER - A public hearing for the Charter Cable contract was held on Monday, March 4, at the town hall. Residents were encouraged to attend.

 The issue focused on a ten-year minimum contract with Charter Cable for public access, educational, and government channels, 11,12 and 13 in Webster. The negotiations were put on the table for the public to hear. According to Thomas Cohen, Director of Government Relations for Charter Cable, Webster is currently paying a 1% franchise fee while some other communities are as high as 3%. At present, Charter pays the town $.50 per customer, roughly $18,000 per year to fund the production and programming of the access channels. It is now up to the Cable Advisory Committee to listen to the citizens and make their decision.

Technology for the 21^st century

by Becky Harvey
Patriot correspondent

DUDLEY - The Dudley Charlton School Committee meeting of February 27 kicked off on a dire note: the pending sequestration by the federal government would mean large cuts to the Title I program of the Dudley Charlton School District.  There would be substantial cuts to that program, and special education in general, should the sequestration proceed on March 1^st.  There is a seven-page document listing the numerous cuts, according to Superintendent Sean Gilrein.  In conjunction with other superintendents from around the Commonwealth, he wrote to the federal government with complaints about the devastation these cuts would create.

Another not so wonderful bit of news was that there was a bus accident on Wednesday, despite the two-hour, weather-caused delay.  The bus was “tapped” by another vehicle, a small car.  Only two students were aboard and neither was hurt.

BOSTON – Sen. Richard R. Moore, D-Uxbridge, will host an informational session on the Senior Circuit Breaker tax rebate program at the Webster Senior Center next Wednesday, March 13th, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The Senior Circuit Breaker is a tax credit for seniors whose property payments exceed 10 percent of their annual income. Eligible seniors will receive a dollar credit on their state tax return for every dollar that their total property tax, water and sewer bills exceed the 10 percent figure. The maximum credit is $1,000.

Janet Malser Humantities Trust
Deadline April 1

The Janet Malser Humanities Trust is accepting applications for the 2013 grant cycle. Ms. Malser set up the charitable Trust in order to support the arts and humanities, community service and conservation in the towns of Dudley, Oxford, and Webster, MA.

The causes for which funding will be considered include: “the restoration and preservation of historic sites; the furtherance of art and music in the schools, both public and private; public concerts with an emphasis on classical music; the improvement and growth of public libraries; the support of church work aiding the indigent, homeless, aging citizens and needy children; beautification through planting and the preservation of park areas and cemeteries; the improvement of service and equipment at the Hubbard Regional Hospital [now Harrington Healthcare at Hubbard], and the environmental protection of Webster Lake.”

Trustees will make awards annually to verified tax-exempt organizations meeting the charitable purposes of the Trust. Prior recipients are eligible to apply so long as proper follow up status reports have been filed; otherwise they will not be considered.

Applications and instructions for the current year are available janetmalsertrust.org.  Please use the 2013 application as changes have been made. All applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2013.

WHO: Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge

WHAT: Sen. Richard T. Moore will host his monthly “Coffee with Constituents” to discuss current issues and concerns with local residents.

WHEN: Friday, March 15th, 2012 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Booklovers’ Gourmet 55 East Main St. Webster, MA 01570

On Friday, March 15th, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, will host “Coffee with Constituents” in Webster. Residents are welcome to visit with the local lawmaker, enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee, and take the opportunity to discuss current issues and concerns.

“Coffee with Constituents” will be held at Booklovers’ Gourmet, located at 55 East Main St. in Webster, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Customers who arrive during this timeframe will receive a free cup of coffee, courtesy of the Senator.

Sen. Moore routinely visits area breakfast spots within the Worcester & Norfolk district, and combines these with his regular constituent service office hours to connect with residents about the issues of the day.

Constituents requiring immediate assistance should contact Sen. Moore’s office at (617) 722-1420 or log onto his web site at www.senatormoore.com/services.

A road bike event to raise funds for the renovation and rebuilding of the Emergency Department at Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard in Webster will consist of four routes that are 100 miles, 62 miles (metric century), 30 miles and 12 miles in length.

There will be something for riders of all skills. Help raise money for an Emergency Department that hasn't seen a significant renovation since it was built in 1955.

Here's the link for more information:http://ridetorebuild.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1057460

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER -  It appears that Scooby Snax are a Scooby Dooby don’t in Webster. Friday, March 1, the Webster Police department notified Health Department Agent Cathy Liberty that Jimmy’s Convenience Store had been selling small smoking pipes from behind the register, violating Board regulations. On March 4 the health department and police performed an inspection. The owner told Ms.Liberty and the officers present that she was not selling such items. Ms. Liberty asked to look behind the register and found, in plain view, a plastic clear organizer box with a selection of pipes marked with prices on them. These were previously on display and the establishment was fined for having what is classified as drug paraphernalia in the store.

Appoint Gould to aging council

By Charles Kelleher Harris
Patriot correspondent

DUDLEY— David Gould, who has spent much of his life in the public service of the town, has been missed. But now he is back and ready for action.

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Monday night to accept Gould’s appointment to the Dudley Council on Aging.

“I believe an additional male voice on the Council would be helpful,” Gould said.

“Welcome back,” said Selectman Peter Fox, “We’ve missed you… [and your] expertise.”

“I think this is important because some of the [current Council on Aging members] don’t show up for the meetings,” Gould told the board adding, “Quite frankly there are a lot of nice people down at the senior center. I only wish more elderly would go down there and make use of it.”