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THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE is published every month in Sturbridge, Massachusetts by Carr Media Group. We accept photos,opinions, short articles, stories, poems and drawings from the general public, but assume no responsibility for failure to publish a submission or fortypographic errors published or incorrect placement. The contents of this magazine consist of copyrightable material and cannot be reproducedwithout the expressed written permission of the author and the publishers of The Sturbridge Times Magazine.

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All life may not be migrating to the World WideWeb, but often it seems like it is. The web phe-nomenon called YouTube appears to be capturing

every embarrassing visual experience of contemporaryhumanity. Take heart, there is more than goofy videosand ancient episodes of I Love Lucy.

Last December 2, YouTube announced some of thegreat names and institutions of classical music had cometogether to launch the YouTube Symphony Orchestra,the world's first collaborative online orchestra and sum-mit.

necessary to progress with the instrument. Children do not as a rule possess the discipline neces-

sary to keep at something, even something they like.Samantha is grateful for her parents who kept her to thetask over the years. Mom Paula Slade, studied voice andhas a great ear for music. She writes locally. Dad, BarryGillogly, is in contracting and has done some writing. Herbrother, Alexander, is also a musician.

West Brookfield is not the only interesting place thefamily has lived. Samantha was born in Los Angeles.They moved to Marthas Vineyard and enjoyed life there.Her progress in music necessitated trips off island for les-sons. That became enough of a burden that they searchedfor somewhere with a “rural feel” and ended up in our

Local virtuoso goes to the world through YouTube

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MUSIC

The Orchestra has allowed musicians from all overthe country to audition from home. There is a lot of tal-ent on this earth and auditions have come in from allover the world. YTSO is not just an internationalevent. For Sturbridge Country, there is a local aspect.Samantha Gillogly, a virtuoso from West Brookfield,entered for the viola and was selected. This is no sur-prise to her many area fans.

Anyone of those fans has seen the talent. Of course,behind that has been years of study. Fourteen years sofar. She received her first quarter size violin at the ageof six and thought it was the greatest thing. She happi-ly carried it around the house. Then reality set in whenit was made plain that a regimen of practice would be


neck of the woods. She loves the townand its beauty.

In terms of education, where thefamily lived was not a big consideration.since the fifth grade, Samantha has been home schooled.She had some wonderful teachers before coming home, butthe scheme of standardized testing we live under in thiscountry was not for her. It has not caused her any problemsas she is where she wants to be. attending Berklee Collegeof Music.

Almost no music escapes her interest. Currently she isparticipating in the Contemporary Middle EasternEnsemble. Samantha describes the name as a Berkleeterm, and the group as rooted in traditional folk and ArabClassical with contemporary influence. There is anotherviolin in the group as well as piano, drum kit, electric gui-tar and oud, an instrument like a lute.

Samantha has always had eclectic interests, classical,jazz or folk. Every genre filters into her style. As she putit, “Every tune I write, people will say, oh that sounds likea mixture of Baroque, Celtic, Middle Eastern or other. Idon’t set out to do that. That’s how it turns out.”

She derives inspiration from cellist, Yo Yo Ma. Asmuch an icon in the classical world as he is, he is not afraidto reach out to other genres. Styles diverse as Appalachianand Brazilian have been performed by Ma. He is daringenough to open a track on his latest CD for accompani-

ment from other performers and allowonline voting to see who wins.

So how did someone who had spentso many years becoming expert in the

violin end up trying out on the viola? She describes theviola as “the awkward middle child of the string section,but I love it.” While participating in the NEC YouthPhilharmonic Orchestra, renowned maestro Ben Zanderasked her to take up the viola and now she plays it as muchas the violin.

Samantha feels it gave her an edge in competing for aspot on youtube. Certainly, any edge would have beenappreciated as competition was fierce. There were over3,000 auditions from more than 70 countries. She playeda piece by Chinese composer Tan Dun while having towatch his conducting on the web. Not easy. YouTubeplans to collage and sync up all the auditions. That shouldbe something to see.

You can see many examples of her music on athttp://www.youtube.com/user/SamanthaGillogly. and ather MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/samanthag-illogly. She will be in New York April 12 to 15 to performat Carnegie Hall under the direction of conductor MichaelTilson Thomas. This is going to be big. The YouTubechannel has already received more than 13 million views.As Samantha said, “This project on YouTube will open upa new and wider audience for classical music.”SAMANTHA GILOOLY

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According to Bankrate.com, the aver-age amount nonprofit organizationsreceive is .05%, or half a penny for everydollar spent. If you charge $100, the cred-it card issuer gives 50 cents to charity--charge that amount every month for ayear, and you'll donate $6 to charity. Is

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Mortgage paid, local Christian radio station marks milestoneBy Stephanie Richards

God’s faithfulness. That’s howStephen Binley, station manager atWYCM 90.1 FM, sums up why theChristian music station became a reali-ty six years ago, and continues to markmajor milestones. Last month, the lis-tener- supported station made its finalmortgage payment.

Based in Charlton, WYCM 90.1FMis owned by Christian Mix Radio, Inc.and “exists to encourage the heart ofthe believer, to reach the heart of theunbeliever, and to draw all hearts intopraise and worship of the Lord JesusChrist through quality contemporaryChristian music.”

The only one of its kind in CentralMassachusetts, the non-commercialstation plays Christian music 24/7.“Our format is Christian mix, whichincludes inspirational praise and wor-

ship, contemporary Christian, Christianrock and alternative, and a little Gospeland Southern Gospel. I kiddingly saythe only thing we don’t play is Christianpolka…if there is such a thing,” he said.Binley does a morning show from 7 to10 a.m., Mondays through Fridays whileother on-air personalities volunteertheir time to host shows focusing oncontemporary Christian, praise and wor-ship, oldies (vintage) or hard rock (JesusExtreme).

Binley spent two thirds of his careerin broadcast, with Channel 27 inWorcester and then Channel 25 inBoston as a producer and director. In1997, he expanded into radio startingWNEB 1230 AM, a Christian music sta-tion, while continuing to work his job atChannel 25. “I was born and raised inthe area. The goal of Heirwaves, Inc.(now Christian Mix Radio, Inc.) was tobring a 24 hour, 7 day a week Christian

music station to Central Massachusetts.The board of directors prayed andplanned for that goal for a year and ahalf,” Binley said. “Then, we saw anAM station for sale in the area (we werelooking for an FM). It was available andwe negotiated with the owner to buyit…only having a few hundred dollars.”

Two weeks after making an offer topurchase WNEB 1230 AM, and with nofinancing yet secured, an anonymousdonor provided the entire cost of themortgage—all $225,000. “I am con-vinced that if you are faithful with a lit-tle, you can be faithful with a lot. Wedidn’t have a mortgage, so I was expect-ing that we would get listener-supportfor operating expenses. After one and ahalf years, we could not sustain the sta-tion and were $40,000 in debt becauseof tower expenses, insurance, etc.

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THE SHOPPING NEWS

It was the early 1970’s when Val Dzelzitiswas driving through Brookfield and firstnoticed the home at 24 Fiskdale Road.

Built in 1765, the John Watson House was just the kindof place he had been looking for. With no “for sale” signin the yard, Dzelzitis decided to go out on a limb, knockon the door and approach the owner.

Dzelzitis, owner of Angel House Designs, recalls,“An older woman answered the door and I just askedher, is the house for sale. She said it had been in thefamily for over 100 years and wasn’t for sale. But sheasked if I wanted to come in and have a tour.Afterward, I gave her my information and said ifsomething changed, please call me.”

Just a year later, he received a call asking if he was

still interested in purchasing the home. “I knew littleabout restoring a home or antiques at the time, but itwas always something I wanted to explore. The ownersaid she felt like we were going to restore thehouse…doing something she couldn’t do. So, webought it without the home ever going onto the mar-ket,” Dzelzitis said. “It took three years to restore thehome. The paneling was covered by wallpaper,acoustic tile was on the ceiling, parquet covered thefloor and all three fireplaces were closed off. Thehouse is what got us interested in the restoration busi-ness.”

He broke into the business in 1975 with TheSeraph (selling it five years later) and then openingup Angel House Designs as a spin-off. “We focus onreproduction of 18th and 19th century antiques,reupholstery and architectural design services. It wasan idea that was an experiment…as long as it was funwe wanted to do it. Now 34 years later, we are still inbusiness.”

Dzelzitis has a degree in architecture fromUniversity of Minnesota and one in art history fromBrown University. He worked for architects inWorcester and taught on the high school level for 14years, but his training was in modern architecturaldesign. “We learned a lot from visiting historic houseslike those at Old Sturbridge Village and in Deerfield,Essex and the South Shore. You can really learn fromlooking,” he said.

Angel House Designs first showroom was in theconverted garage of the house, which has seven roomsand three fireplaces. An addition was later added tothe house for antiques and then a 30 by 40 foot barnas a furniture showroom. “I bought a barn in NorthBrookfield for $100 (the roof collapsed) and reusedthe beams and siding on the addition. Later, we decid-

Angel House Designs24 Fiskdale Road in Brookfield. Showroom hoursare from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondaysthrough Fridays (closed Tuesday); 10 a.m. to 5p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays.For more information, call 508.867.2517 or go towww.angelhousedesigns.com

Craftsman specializes in colonialfurniture, antiques, upholstery

BY STEPHANIE RICHARDS

VAL DZELZITIS, OWNER OF ANGEL HOUSE DESIGNS

© 2009 Sturbridge Times Magazine photo by Stephanie Richards


ed to build the barn and just startedworking on it without ever drawing upplans,” he said. “We have about 16wholesalers come in to look at inventoryand purchase it. They come from Maineand New Hampshire toNew York andPennsylvania. The secretto manufacturing is to nothave lulls…always havework. Wholesalers do thatand give you exposure. Italso helps to have inter-changeable parts…eachdesign is onto its own, butif you can build rails andparts that are inter-changeable, it is moreeconomically feasible.”

A line of a dozenstandard furniture pieces,like cupboards, tablesand barrel back settles,are custom made for the shop by a localcabinetmaker. Wing chairs, which have afull wing, comfortable seat and high back,are also available in a variety of sizes andstyles. The chairs include a curved wingfeature with a well-defined S curve wherethe wing and back meet--a design special-ty that Angel House is known for.

Windsor chairs are also available fromthe Lawrence Crouse Workshop.

Reupholstery work is another part ofthis design business, with work donelocally in Charlton. A variety of fabrics

are available to selectfrom includingSchumacher, Greeff,Waverly, Irving Allen, B.Berger and Laura Ashley.“You pay for the nameand quality of the fabric.We can get any kind offabric made as long as itis current. At present, weare doing more reuphol-stery work than before,”Dzelzitis said. Turnaroundtime for both furnitureand reupholstery work isabout six to eight weeks.

While many customersare young professionals,

the average age has grown a little older.“Programs like the Antique Road Showon Channel 2 have generated a lot ofinterest in antiques,” he said. “Antiquesare wonderful because you can explorethe history of a piece, who made it andthe region it came from. I like to putinformation like that on the tag so the

customer can see it. One time I bought aBanister Back Chair from Long Island.That info was on the tag in the shop anda customer who lives there, saw it andbought it. People seem to value antiquesmore that come from their own region.”

The ups and downs of the economyhas had an impact on the small business.“We have had good years and not sogood years. You always worry that youmissed something, but it is directly con-

nected to whether people are spendingmoney or not.”

But Dzelzitis wouldn’t be anywhereelse. “In 33 years, the business hasevolved. It is the same as it used to beyet different. People (customers) make itfun…many treating you like a neighboror old friend. I’d rather work here on aSunday afternoon than go to a cocktailparty.”

“I’d rather workhere on a Sunday

afternoon than go to a

cocktail party.”

VAL DZELZITISON THE FRIENDLY CUSTOMERS

HE HAS SERVED OVER THEPAST 33 YEARS


STURBRIDGE SELECTMEN’S RACE

TOM CREAMER JAMES EHRHARD PRISCILLA GIMAS TED GOODWIN

selectingthe

FOUR CANDIDATES. TEN QUESTIONS.

Question 1. What is your detailed message to the group proposing thenew Sturbridge Tourist Association? Ifthe establishing articles are voted atthe annual town meeting, what wouldbe your detailed message to theChamber of Commerce/SATA?

TOM CREAMER. On face value, the pro-posal seems simple, Sturbridge money con-trolled by Sturbridge people. A deeper reviewfinds significant concern from businesses/res-idents who are troubled by the regional impli-cations. Some fear the possible reduction/dis-ruption of Chamber funding might negative-ly impact “tourist-specific” revenues.Additionally, there are fears that the unifiedand focused marketing approach taken by theChamber may become fragmented and dis-jointed.

These issues, real or perceived, are cause

for concern and warrant additional study. Ibelieve it best to step back and substantiallyreview this proposal and all possible implica-tions over the next year. This proposal pub-licly surfaced in January, and with two publicmeetings to address it, we are moving quicklytowards restructuring a relationship that hastaken years to develop.

No doubt, issues exist with some policiesmaintained by the Chamber in terms of mem-bership requirements and event participationat sponsored affairs. These issues must beaddressed more equitably for all if this rela-tionship is to flourish and continue.

Delaying this decision until a more com-prehensive study has been conducted will notresult in any detriment over the next year.Making a decision however, with so manyunanswered questions, could prove problem-atic both short and long-term.

JAMES EHRHARD. The advocates of the

Sturbridge Tourist Association have a verygood point. The vast majority of dollars goingto the regional SATA are from Sturbridgebusinesses, not from businesses in the sur-rounding ten towns. Intuitively, it does notseem equitable that Sturbridge businessesshould be single-handedly funding a regionalorganization promoting eleven towns. This isparticularly true when the town of Sturbridgeis the main tourist draw to the region.

With the above in mind, the fact thatthree pillars of Sturbridge's tourist industry(The Publick House, Old Sturbridge Villageand Sturbridge Host Hotel) are opposed tothe formation of the STA does give me pause.I am inclined to support the formation of theSTA, but those three businesses’ oppositiondictates further inquiry and study before adecision is made at Town Meeting.

If Town Meeting votes to establish theSTA, the message to the SATA and thenewly formed STA is that a collaborative

effort between those two organizations isrequired. They should not be operating inopposition to each other, but rather in con-cert. Notably, the STA will also need toensure that it effectively operates the touristcenter and the Harvest Festival.

PRISCILLA GIMAS. The Chamber ofCommerce/SATA encompasses more thanjust Sturbridge so the Sturbridge TouristAssociation would be a great balance to theChamber with its focus on Sturbridge busi-nesses with Sturbridge tax dollars. When theSturbridge Tourist Association approachedlocal businesses they were warmly received -this indicates a need for change. Many busi-ness owners I spoke with are not members ofthe Chamber or they were at one time. Thesebusiness owners strongly expressed a sense ofurgency for someone to listen to their needs.

The Sturbridge Tourist Association pro-ponents would be a town committee with the

selectmen


rules of open public meeting law with minutes.This is what is needed - transparency and com-plete accountability. Some business executivesrecently voiced opposition to the SturbridgeTourist Association. My question to them is,how many Sturbridge residents do you employ?How many of your operations have you out-sourced and laid off Sturbridge employees as aresult?

If the articles proposed pass at the AnnualTown Meeting, the message to the Chamberwill have been made clear by the citizens. It isthen up to the Chamber to work collaborative-ly in cooperation with the newly created com-mittee for the success of all businesses.

TED GOODWIN. The role of STA, thisnewly proposed board, is not to replace SATAbut to serve as a more flexible and transparentpartner to SATA. If STA is formed, it is impor-tant that this new board continue the successand momentum of the efforts of the Chamber,SATA, and the Sturbridge HeritagePartnership. It is imperative that any newboard be fully accountable to all appropriatetown boards and committees.

The standardized application process andthe annual report will be a valuable tool toevaluate the existing occupancy tax and justifythe future expenditure shifts. Any project thatwill benefit Sturbridge’s tourist industry shouldbe considered, even if it takes place outside ofSturbridge’s town lines. Everyone's goal is thesame: to encourage growth in our tourismindustry.

Question 2. What is your model for localeconomic development, and how did youformulate it? Is it advisable to examinethe ways that other communities grow;if so, why? Of course, growth per se iseasy to achieve when we jettison allstandards. What kind of growth do youfavor, and why?

TOM CREAMER. Economic developmentinvolves long-term planning utilizing short andlong-range strategies. Long-range strategies arebased upon a comprehensive Master Plan iden-tifying a community’s STRENGTHS andWEAKNESSES, while exploiting availableOPPORTUNITIES, and diminishing quality oflife THREATS.

Short-term strategies would include imple-mentation of a geographic-specific initiatives.

In the short-term I will work with theEconomic Development Committee (EDC), tofacilitate an economic “partnership” involvingOSV, small business stakeholders, and areahotels with the goal of developing a series oftown-wide events surrounding OPPORTUNI-TIES such as the Pan Mass Challenge, HarvestFest, Flea Markets, and area conferences.

I’d expend enormous effort working to cre-ate a dynamic and vibrant level of cooperationbetween retailers and restaurants aimed atfacilitating opportunities for local merchants tocollectively capitalize - through partnerships -on the financial benefits associated with localevents.

The short-term success of even one suchevent would serve as inspiration for additionalsuccesses. As well, this community-wideapproach would identify the town as an event,creating an appealing sense of community forbusiness start-ups considering Sturbridge.

Moreover, I’d work with the EDC to engage

representatives from key regionalindustrial/commercial enterprises seeking assis-tance in initiating dialogue with clean industrymanufacturers, distributors, etc., regardingrelocations/expansions to Sturbridge. Our loca-tion, combined with proactive engagementcould facilitate a “shift” promoting Sturbridgeas a needed and most desired business location.

Additionally, we should exploit the wealthof comprehensive studies and publications pro-duced by Dr. John R. Mullin, Director of theCenter for Economic Development and Deanof the Graduate School - UMASS Amherst,which outline progressive economic growthpractices involving reindustrialization andretail revitalization of rural/suburban commu-nities using clean industrial/commercialapproaches.

Finally, we should seek guidance from theMassachusetts Smart Growth Tool Kit, whichprovides clear direction for communities seek-ing balanced and sustainable economic growth.

JAMES EHRHARD. Local economic devel-opment should be based on allowing the freemarket the ability to do its job. It is basic eco-nomic reality. Markets thrive in towns wherethey are wanted and avoid towns where theyare unwanted. Sturbridge has sent a message foryears to commercial developers that they arenot wanted and, thus, the town has stagnated.

Simply, Sturbridge town governmentshould not needlessly regulate and put up barri-ers to development. Businesses and developersare naturally inclined to look at businessfriendly environments to open shop and stayaway from those that needlessly zone and regu-late. Sturbridge unfortunately has a reputationof being the latter not the former. Certain areasof town, such as the Route 15 corridor, are ripefor development but the lack of zoning flexibil-

this individual on a part-time basis. All thatdoes is create more delay. The EconomicDevelopment Coordinator has a lot of work tofill the business vacancies currently existingalong routes 20 and 131. In addition, route 15is zoned commercial and could use some devel-opment.

The Economic Development Coordinatoris an expert who knows how to encourage eco-nomic development consistent with town poli-cy, develop strategies to improve the economicstrength of the town through business develop-ment, retention, expansion, and job creation.Goals of economic development also includeassisting in the rehabilitation of older facilities,enhancing the attractiveness of our communi-ty, and possible workforce development pro-grams geared to the needs of local industriesand businesses.

I have consistently stated that I favorgrowth with balance. We need to expand ourtax base however, we also need to be cognizantof our historic significance and culture. It is mybelief we can do both.

TED GOODWIN. All growth is not createdequal. We need to promote tax-positive growthwhich encourages projects that bring in moretax dollars than their cost of services. Route 15is an area where we can plan for growth thatgenerates tax dollars, creates good jobs, andadds value to the neighborhoods in the area.The current zoning allows for recreationalfacilities, medical offices, and light industry.This area contains sandy soil suitable for on-site sewerage treatment, saving millions of dol-lars on an unnecessary sewer line.

We need to revitalize our CommercialTourist District. The Town is working withCentral Mass Regional Planning to assess the

ity and utility services have stifled such naturaleconomic development. Remove the needlesszoning restrictions and allow access to utilitiesand things will change for the better.

How did I formulate this model? I did notformulate this model. This model is the foun-dation of American capitalism. Governmentregulates where minimally necessary and, inturn, allows the free market to work. Either themajority of the Board of Selectmen have neverread Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations' orthey simply do not care what the residents ofSturbridge want.

It is always advisable to look at how othercommunities grow. As with most things in life,emulate those methods that work and avoidthose that do not. The residents of town wouldlike to see on Route 15 some type of develop-ment mid-way between what is at the MillburyPlaza in Millbury and the Evergreen Walk inConnecticut. Such development would notonly provide an outlet for tourist dollars butprovide greater revenues to town for quality oflife improvements.

PRISCILLA GIMAS. Suburbs were a postWorld War II concept that grew rapidly in the50s and 60s. Today, urban centers are trying torevitalize themselves and increase their marketshare. As a suburban community, Sturbridgeneeds to identify its uniqueness and qualitiesand capitalize on them to differentiate our-selves from other suburban towns. Its locationis what makes Sturbridge the ideal place to be -at the crossroads of New England.

The position and job description of anEconomic Development Coordinator/GrantWriter20needs to be developed immediately.Once the position is formulated, a nationalsearch needs to be generated. We cannot waitfor the completion of the Master Plan or hire Continued on following page



TED GOODWIN continued: problemsand suggest improvements for this importantarea. We need to work hard to be in a positionto strive for growth on Main Street, so whenthe economy bounces back we are ahead ofthe curve. This area must become more pedes-trian friendly and we need to consider taxincentive programs for businesses andlandowners who work toward enhancing theircurb appeal.

We have thriving light industry inSturbridge which is proof that businesses canprosper in our town. I supported the 43D leg-islation and worked hard to see it pass at thelast Town Meeting. This program offers com-munities a tool for targeted economic devel-opment and offers to enhance the opportuni-ties for growth and expansion. 43D will allowlandowners to market their valuable industri-al land in a way that ultimately will bringmore good jobs and additional tax revenue toSturbridge.

Question 3. As a selectman, what balancing test would you use to preserve/step up services while minimizing taxes?

TOM CREAMER. Basic service needsinclude infrastructure (i.e. clean water supplyand wastewater treatment options bothmunicipal and private), along with a soundpublic works program (i.e. roads, telecommu-nications, etc.) enabling residents to safelyand effectively travel and communicate.

Security is another basic need involvingpublic safety (i.e. police, fire, EMS, communi-ty health) along with a sound educational sys-tem (schools) and the provision of adequatesenior service programs necessary for their par-ticipation in the community. A strong sense ofphysiological, intellectual, and emotional

security increases one's quality of life, enhanc-ing community vibrancy and identity.

One must base the expenditure of taxpayerfunds in terms of the overall “return on invest-ment”. Drawing distinctions between eco-nomic and social needs as opposed to desires,is a critical step in our approach to spending.If we're to survive as a community, we mustmeet the basic needs of our residents. If we areto thrive, we must identify the economicdevelopment opportunities that will afford therevenue to address many of those things wedesire for our community. Without a strongand vibrant tax base, communities are gener-ally limited to needs-based expenditures,whereas sound economic development pro-vides the revenues with which to providedesired amenities.

JAMES EHRHARD. There is no one-size-fits-all test to determine where tax dollarsshould go. As a basic guide, taxes and feesshould not go up. Residents are nickle-and-dimed by the state and federal governments asit is; their town should not join in. At thesame time, town services must be maintainedand capital improvements must be made. It isa balancing act based upon the needs anddesires of the residents of Sturbridge.

Sturbridge should prioritize tax revenueusage by ensuring that public safety, educationand senior services are adequately funded.Those three areas are the proper focus of towngovernment. Other important areas, such ascapital improvements, rightfully need to beaddressed. But such large expenditures shouldbe addressed when funding avenues becomeavailable or the town specifically decides themerit of a project outweighs the cost througha Proposition 2.5 override. Of course, suchoverrides should be used sparingly, if at all. Alleffort should be used to find alternativesources of funding, such as state and federalgrants. The new Burgess Elementary School isthe perfect example of the town properly seek-

ing funding from the state (approximately51% of the project’s cost) to supplement thetown’s financial outlay.

PRISCILLA GIMAS. I would first exam-ine the services offered and the services thecommunity needs. To minimize taxes we haveto broaden our tax base which re-enforces theneed for an Economic Development Coord-inator/Grant Writer discussed in question 2.The Coordinator would have the ability towrite the grants to supplement the servicesbeing offered and perhaps meet the needs ofour citizens by providing additional services.

The inefficient use of tax dollars to offerexcessive merit raises at the expense of budgetcut backs for the senior center and other agen-cies, is certainly not reflective of proper use oftax dollars. Through grants, an expanded taxbase, and the elimination of excessive awards,we could preserve and enhance current servic-es to our citizens.

TED GOODWIN. Before approving anyexpenditure, I ask “Does it provide infrastruc-ture that allows the town to grow and prosper,substantially improve the quality of life, orsave money for its residents?”

For example:• Renovating the Burgess school attracts

industry, provides an important service to ourcitizens, and increases the value of our homes.

• The Bio-Mag technology at the sewertreatment plant will expand service and savethe town 30%.

• Moving to Paramedic-level service pro-vides life-saving service to residents at little tono cost.

The town is fiscally sound. We will use$200,000 of the stabilization funds to keep thetax rate unchanged.

Question 4. Describe your skill as a con-sensus builder capable of working con-structively and productively alongside

people with opinions that differ fromyour own. How important is this skill intown government at the selectmanlevel? Share an anecdote from your ownexperience that illustrates your viewson consensus building.

TOM CREAMER. I have dedicated 32years of my life to public safety and nationaldefense. In that time I have lead “direct-action” deep reconnaissance missions in hos-tile regions that required the ability to peace-fully and proactively engage local villagers insupport of our operations. Additionally, myDefense work in many of the former Sovietsatellites (Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakh-stan, etc.) necessitated the development ofclose personal relationships and cooperationwith tribal elements formerly consideredadversaries.

While working for the Department ofHomeland Security, I was tasked with devel-oping and implementing counter-terrorismprotocols that spanned a wide birth of some-times competing agencies — DoD, FBI,Customs, CIA, — as well as state and localpublic safety agencies — police, fire, EMS,and public health. This required a delicatebalancing act recognizing the historical andagency-specific cultural dogma of each entityin order to produce policies, procedures, andapproaches that solicited the necessary “buyin” from each organization/group.

As a professional firefighter and publiceducator, I was often faced with situationsrequiring the ability to empathize with contra-dicting philosophies and/or approaches inorder to facilitate successful and productiveoutcomes.

JAMES EHRHARD. A deliberative bodyoften needs to find a middle ground. This isparticularly true with an elected body such asthe Board of Selectmen because not every res-

Continued from previous page

Candidates answer 10 questions for Sturbridge Times readers


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ident of a town thinks the same. This doesnot mean that as a member of the Board Iwill give in on every issue. To the contrary, Iwill vigorously defend my positions. But, atthe same time, I understand that consensusoften mean listening with an open mind.

My job as the owner of a bankruptcy andlitigation law firm demands that I try andfind common ground every day, if for noother reason than that the cost of continuedconfrontation is often more expensive for aclient than coming to a consensus.

Finding consensus does not always meangiving into demands either. For example, my2 year old son and 3 year old daughter werearguing over a purple crayon recently. Theyhad two of every color except purple, yeteach demanded to use purple at the sametime. After neither of them would share oreven act reasonable, I put the purple crayonaway so that no one could use it.Immediately, a consensus was found.

PRISCILLA GIMAS. Respect for your-self and others is the key to working withpeople whose opinions differ from your own.Differing opinions create synergy and dia-logue which are key ingredients for successand progress that are imperative for eachelected official to possess. I was hired as aschool administrator to increase enrollmentand strengthen the academic milieu. At theend of my first year, I was awarded the key tothe City of Lowell and received an officialcitation from the MA State Senate for mycommitment and service to the students andcommunity. I could not have achieved thiswithout the ability to engage in consensusbuilding.

TED GOODWIN. Consensus building iskey to being a successful Selectman.Building consensus requires not only listen-ing, but actively seeking out opinions frommany sides of an issue. The formation of theLake Advisory Committee was a good exam-ple. The BOS brought together the LakeAssociations, the Conservation Committee,and me. The committee succeeded in show-ing the economic importance of the town'slakes, and using increased local control toresolve problems.

Question 5. PCWorld Magazine hasranked Charter Communications cableInternet service as worst among 14major Internet service providers. InFebruary, 2008, Consumer Reportsstated that Charter's television/Internet/telephone bundle is the worstsuch offering among all the majorcarriers. And now Charter Commu-nications is in the process of filing forChapter 11 protection. What is theright approach for managingSturbridge's relationship with thistroubled company?

TOM CREAMER. If one reviews themeeting minutes of the last 6 years, one willfind numerous instances of resident dissatis-

faction with the level of public access serv-ice/amenities received from CharterCommunications. Despite continuing com-plaints during this period, the service levelseems unchanged. This is unsatisfactory.

In an age of advanced technology, thereis no reason for the poor reception experi-enced by many residents. As well there is noreason that continuous loop broadcast of tel-evised meetings, in addition to live-stream-ing internet feeds are unavailable to resi-dents. The basis for sound decision-makingis access to relevant and timely information.

We continue to fall short in this area andsome of it is unnecessary. Clearly, we havecontractual obligations we have to complywith, so too does our provider; one wondersif those obligations are being met.

The contract is soon due forreview/renewal and I believe Sturbridgeshould be “market shopping” to better iden-tify potential service providers/amenities,thus enabling us to more intuitively andsoundly engage potential providers. Ourcontract negotiations should be mindful ofeconomic challenges facing providers,enabling us to better leverage ourselvesagainst failure.

JAMES EHRHARD. The right ap-proach is to end the relationship. Charterconsistently provides subpar cable servicewith subpar costumer service. To the extentallowed by law, the town should find anoth-er carrier to provide service. Even beyondthat, state and federal regulators should end

the monopolistic nature of cable service andallow open competition in town.

PRISCILLA GIMAS. Sturbridge needsto examine the quality and consistency ofservice that Charter has provided as well aswhat Charter’s plans are to reorganize oncethey file Chapter 11. If our needs are notbeing met, then we need to discharge themand find another provider. As a businessentity, this is something you should doregardless of a company’s financial position.Perhaps joint efforts with neighboring com-munities could be formulated for packageservices.

In December 2007, Cable World Magazinerecognized Charter as “2007 Multi-SystemOperator of the Year.” As everyone knows,awards and surveys are based on criteriadeveloped to prove someone’s point or bias.What were the criteria the PC WorldMagazine used to evaluate Charter and othertelecommunications companies?

TED GOODWIN. I share many of theconcerns and frustrations about CharterCommunications. The town has ap-proached Verizon about the new technologyof FIOS. Apparently, it will be a few yearsbefore the town will be wired for FIOS. Thetown should continue to examine all itsoptions, including other cable companiesand FIOS alternatives. We need to makecertain our cable access is affordable, butmore importantly we need to make sure ourpublic access channels are available to the

people in the town. I share in the frustra-tions of several others that I talk to whowould like to watch board and committeemeetings live. Because of equipment prob-lems often times these meetings are notbroadcast. With the renovations at townhall, the equipment for displaying the boardand committee meetings will be upgraded,solving this problem.

Question 6. Spending for the schoolsand for the municipality are often pit-ted, one against the other. How wouldyou overcome this rub?

TOM CREAMER. Educational invest-ments are one of the most important servic-es a community provides. Much like publicsafety and public works, its value can neverbe over-estimated. It’s an integral compo-nent to the safety, well-being, and vitality ofa community. A poor educational systemserves only to demoralize and destabilize acommunity, destroying its desirability andlivability.

One must bear in mind however that abudget for any organization, much like afamily budget is weighed in terms of needsand wants. The key is accurately disseminat-ing the needs from the wants.

Our schools are ranked in the top 1/3statewide; much of that has to do with our com-mitment to addressing educational needs, whilesupporting some educational wants. The FY10education budget of $14.5 million (64% of the


FINANCIALFOCUS

JEFF BURDICK

M O N T H L Y I N V E S T M E N T A D V I C E


T H E S T U R B R I D G E T I M E S M A G A Z I N E

STURBRIDGE FINANCIAL ADVISOR

If you get laid off or “downsized,” it’s unquestionably atough break, and it can be stressful in many ways. However,if you make the right investment-related moves, the loss ofa job doesn't necessarily mean you have lost the opportuni-ty to achieve your important financial goals.

Above all else, don't panic when you learn of animpending termination. If you are going to get a severancepackage, you may not have to take the first offer that comesyour way; you might be able to negotiate for more attractiveterms. But even if there is no room for negotiation, youneed to make sure you get all the information you need,such as whether the severance will be paid at once or instages. As severance packages may have tax consequences,you should consult with your tax advisor before making anydecisions.

Here’s another suggestion: Don’t rush to collect themoney from your 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) plan. Of course,if your retirement plan is your main source of savings, you

may have no choice in the matter. But once you cash outyour plan, you'll no longer benefit from tax-deferred earn-ings growth. Furthermore, your former employer must with-hold 20 percent from your distribution.

If you don’t cash out your plan, what should you do withit? You might be able to leave the money in your formeremployer’s plan. When you get your next job, you couldmove the money from your old plan into a new employer'splan, if the new plan allows such transfers.

However, you can get much more flexibility by rollingover your retirement assets into an IRA, which provides analmost unlimited array of investment choices. By making adirect rollover to an IRA, you’ll avoid the 20 percent with-holding and current income taxes on your retirement plandistribution, and you'll give your earnings the potential tokeep growing on a tax-deferred basis. Keep in mind, though,that before you reach 59-1/2, your IRA withdrawals will besubject to ordinary income tax and a 10 percent penalty,unless you take systematic distributions under Section 72(t)of the Internal Revenue Code. To make sure you're makingthe right moves, consult with your tax and financial advi-

sors before tapping into your IRA.After deciding what to do with your 401(k) or other

retirement plan, you might also want to adjust the other,non-IRA investments in your portfolio. While you wereworking full time, you may have established an investmentmix that was based on a variety of factors, including yourgoals, time horizon, risk tolerance, ability to invest and yourneed for growth and income. But if you are between jobs foran extended time period, you may need to adjust your port-folio. A financial advisor can help you select an appropriateinvestment mix. Once you're employed again, you canreadjust your portfolio as needed.

A layoff can be difficult for you and your family. But bythinking carefully about what to do with your retirementplan and your investment portfolio, you can survive this set-back - and stay on track toward the future you've envi-sioned.

This article has been submitted by Jeff Burdick, FinancialAdvisor, Edward Jones, 113 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA01566. Jeff may be contacted at 508-347-1420 or at [email protected]

Smart financial moves can protect after layoff


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Although we could have brokered out the broadcast day(WNEB was a commercial station), the board made adecision early to say no…God had called us to be allmusic. So, we sold the station.”

Ironically as part of the deal, Binley became stationmanager for the buyer and left Channel 25 where hewas still working full-time. A lawsuit was filed later bythe co-owner and control was taken away and given toBinley by the court. “We did three sharathons and hitthe goals, but the suit was settled after the last one andthe station was sold.”

During that process, Bay Path Vocational HighSchool put their high school student run station for sale.On the final day of WNEB’s last sharathon, the BayPath Vocational School Board voted to accept theChristian Mix Radio, Inc. bid for purchase with a fiveyear payment plan. Securing the deal with $1,000,WYCM FM became a reality. “We had previously puttogether a proposal to rent the station during the offtime, after 3 p.m. The superintendent said religion andschool do not mix. Shortly thereafter, I went to theschool on a weekend and walked around it seven times,praying and claiming it for the Lord. I kept looking outat the horizon, thinking about the impact Christianradio could have and believing God. Then later, thesame school accepts an offer from us to purchase the sta-tion. In God’s time, it all came to fulfillment.”

God’s provision for both stations was evident, Binleysaid. “We had no money when we started WNEB andsomeone donated the entire mortgage. For WYCM 90.1FM, we paid off the entire mortgage in March, nevermissing a payment. It is all from God…and a faithprocess for us.”

As with any non-profit organization, the biggestchallenge is the financial piece for the station. “We relyon a donation-based revenue stream for about 80 per-cent of our budget. Even if we hit a sharathon goal,there is no guarantee we will receive all the money…itis a pledge and promise to give for a six month period.There is uncertainty, but God always provides andmakes up the difference,” Binley said.

The significance of making the final mortgage pay-ment is really a two fold victory. “It is big that we paidoff the mortgage, but it is also the way we paid it,” hesaid. “We never missed a payment despite the fact thatwe were short on financial resources. The financialpiece is the most challenging and rewarding…seeingGod work.”

The station receives other resources through con-certs, underwriting, church support and special events,like golf or bowling tournaments. Both national andlocal artists have been featured performers in WYCMbenefit concerts. “The concerts are a ministry outreach.They encourage Christians and introduce the Savior tonon-Christians. At the same time, they can providefinancial support to the station,” Binley said. “As longas we break even, the concerts are worth doing becausethey are an outreach and make WYCM better known—there is promotional value too.”

With no mortgage payment for the first time, Binleyis looking to enhance capital improvements for broad-cast equipment and provide streaming on the Internet(www.wycm.com) in the near future. “Streaming willopen another tier to our current listeners, some whocan’t listen during the day right now and would like toat their home or workplace. But it also spreads past thephysical frequency coverage area to provide an opportu-nity for anyone to listen literally around the world.”

Another goal for the future is adding translators(repeaters). A Federal Communications Commission(FCC) license is required to have additional frequenciesbeyond the 90.1FM dial and no filing windows havebeen open for anything in the area. “That process hap-pens randomly. We are preparing for the process andknow the translators we want to have in the area; wejust have to wait for the FCC to open the window.

Local Christian radio station pays off mortgageContinued from page 11

Continued from page 7

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It was the mid eighties. I was working at a CPA firmon State Street in Boston. An older colleague wasdescribing his life as an entrepreneur. He had invested inlaundromats, ran them with some success and sold themat a profit. I asked him if he thought he might ever getback into that game. His terse reply was that it would notbe worth it as “we’re going to see a 3,000 Dow.”

I dismissed his comment silently. the average had noteven broken the 1,000 mark when he spoke. A Dowtriple that would be a different investing world. Backthen, it would have seemed Nirvana. What my formerco-worker surmised about the Average more than came topass. In 2007, it closed above 14,000. At that point, Ihad long separated from the firm and settled into a life ofself employment (all too often underemployment) here inexurbia.

Though I have had some small notice of the markets,it was little more than academic. Neither funds nor timewere available to warrant close attention to the world ofhigh finance. Of course we have had bubbles go burstsuch that fortunes have been wiped out, but they havehad no effect on myself or anyone I know. For the mostpart I am aware they happened, but that is it.

Oh, there was the Long Term Capital Managementcollapse. Supposedly, if things had gone really wrong, thewhole world would have capsized. LTCM used strategiessuch as Fixed Income Arbitrage, Statistical Arbitrage, andPairs Trading. If you are like me, you are saying, whadat?The truly interesting aspect of it all is that the companyhad not one, but two Nobel Prize laureates piloting theship onto the rocks. This is a break for us lumpen poorfolk. Now when someone says, “If you were smart, you’dbe rich,” I’m entitled to say, “not necessarily.”

It should have been a warning about the limitation ofthe human mind, even in the best of us. It wasn’t.

The problem is not one of a lack of intelligence, butthe opposite. A dullard like myself might crash the carand make a mess. A genius with a doctorate in econom-

ics can crash the economy itself. Put enough of themtogether, and they could end life as we know it.

Now the world is crashing and this time, it may be true.It is time to reflect on the problem and come up with asystemic solution and not the band aids that they havebeen applying since before the last administration ended.

The solution so far has been to throw money at theproblem. There have been two schools of thought aboutwhat that would do. Supporters have posited that itwould re-liquefy the banking system and restart lending.Opponents claimed it would lead to Weimar style infla-tion. So far neither result has occurred. Deflation has

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The best advice for people considering a divorce isalso the hardest: It’s time to get along.

If you can’t, you can easily turn a quick and rela-tively inexpensive process into a slugfest that cantake more than a year and cost each side tens of thou-sands of dollars.

The major issues facing a divorcing couple areoften more emotional than legally complex. Usuallythe parent who has done most of the parenting willget physical custody. There is often little maritalproperty to speak of, and if there is, it is often possi-ble to split it up according to how long the marriagelasted and who contributed what.

If this is the case, the couple should try to set asidetheir bitterness and take advantage of what is com-monly known as a 1A divorce. The parties’ attorneysput together relatively simple pleadings that statethey have irreconcilable differences, and then submitthose to the court along with an agreement outliningchild custody, visitation and property settlement.They can get a court date and a divorce within a fewmonths.

It’s still a good idea to have attorneys involved inthe process, but the legal fees will be far less than ifthey decide fight over something that is a forgoneconclusion to start with.

There are some issues worth fighting over, such asalimony, sorting out particularly complex financialcircumstances, or moving the children out-of-state.

By all means, fight if there’s a reason too. If not, itmight be a good idea for both sides to finally stop thebickering and work together.

LEGALBRIEF

BEST WAY TOAPPROACH DIVORCE IS

TO GET ALONG

M O N T H L Y L E G A L A D V I C E


T H E S T U R B R I D G E T I M E S M A G A Z I N E

STURBRIDGE ATTORNEY

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Continued on next page

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THINGS TO DOApr. 10. “CONNECTIONS” ANEVENING AT THE PUBLICK HOUSE.Enjoy dinner and dessert Publick Housestyle then, journey with Gary McKinstry,Medium, Psychic, Clairvoyant – for twohours of live channeled “CONNECTIONS”with past lives. 6:30 - 10:00 Dinner &Connections Event $49.00 per person (tax& gratuity not included). Reservationsrequired. PUBLICK HOUSE, On theCommon, Route 131, Sturbridge, MA508-347-3313.

Apr. 13. VOTING DAY IN THE TOWNOF STURBRIDGE!

Apr. 17. MURDER MYSTERY DINNER.“WHO’S KILLING THE GREATESTCHEF'S?” The traveling Food Network tele-vision show, ‘Metal Chef Throwdown’ willbe filmed at the Salem Cross Inn. Some ofthe most famous, flamboyant and dangerouschefs will demonstrate their culinary talents.Unfortunately, their cooking can be deadly!A limited number of tickets are availableand must be purchased in advance. ($51 perperson). A limited number of tickets areavailable and must be purchased in advance.Order your tickets online or call us for reser-vations at 508-867-2345.http://www.salemcrossinn.com/

Apr. 17-19. THE NEW ENGLANDHISTORIC HOME SHOW. An educationin restoration and renovation, this show fea-tures design ideas which complement oldand new construction of the 17th, 18th, and19th century American Architecture.STURBRIDGE HOST HOTEL &CONFERENCE CENTER, Sturbridge MA01566 Admission: Adults: $25 on Friday;$12 on Sat/Sun Seniors: $12 Children: FreeContact: Robert Goodrich

Apr. 18. PODUNK RAMBLERS -Acoustic music, Bluegrass Music.7:00 - 9:00 STURBRIDGE COFFEE-HOUSE, 479 Main Street, Sturbridge

Apr. 19. BUUC CONCERT SERIESPRESENTS: GUITARIST STANLEYALEXANDROWICZ, 3:00 p.m., BROOK-FIELD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTCHURCH, 9 Upper River Street (on theBrookfield Common).. Tickets: Adults $10,seniors and students $8, children 12 andunder free and are available at the door. Formore information about eh BUUC ConcertSeries call Jodi Howe at 508-867-3994.

Apr. 22. (Earth Day) WASTE NOT,WANT NOT: RECYCLING 19TH-CEN-TURY STYLE. Did you think that modernAmericans invented Earth-friendly prac-tices? Learn how early New Englanders used,reused, and recycled their “stuff.” OLDSTURBRIDGE VILLAGE. Adults: $20

Seniors: $18 Children: $7 (3-17); under 3FREE.

Apr. 24. SINGLES NIGHT - If you’re sin-gle and looking, c’mon on out. STUR-BRIDGE COFFEEHOUSE, 479 MainStreet, Sturbridge.

Apr. 25. RIMSCHA CONCERT SERIESFINAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SEA-SON. Peter and Helen Morin with SuzanneNance, starting at 7:30pm. Presented by St.Anne/St. Patrick Parish. The series presentsquality, entertaining, classically geared pro-fessional level concerts. Concerts are freeand open to the general public. This is thelast concert of this Rimscha Concert Series.Visit the website for the future concerts.16 Church Street, Fiskdale MAwww.stannestpat.orgAdmission: Free

Apr. 3, 4, 5. LITTLE SHOP OF HOR-RORS - A MUSICAL. This timeless lovestory gives new meaning and perspective toflower shops and the plants they sell. WillSeymour win his love’s heart? Will the hun-gry plant take over their lives? Friday &Saturday @ 8 PM Sundays @ 2 PM. Tickets:$16 adults, $14 seniors 65+, $8 studentsunder 14 For reservations and informationcall 508-347-9005. STAGELOFTREPERTORY THEATER - 450A MainStreet - Sturbridge. Stageloft Rep is fullyhandicap accessible.

Apr. 4. BRUCE TYLER HARRIS. -MUSIC. 7:00 - 9:00 STURBRIDGE COF-FEEHOUSE, 479 Main Street, Sturbridge.

Apr. 7 - 19. THE DESIGNER CRAFTS-MAN SHOW OF NEW ENGLAND.This show offers the serious collector the bestof the best in American Craftsmanship. Thisjuried, invitational show features the highestquality in fine art, traditional crafts, contem-porary folk art, museum quality replicas, orig-inal artworks, and fine furniture reproduc-tions. STURBRIDGE HOST HOTEL &CONFERENCE CENTER, 366 Main StreetSturbridge MA 01566. Contact RobertGoodrich.

Apr. 9. NOISE - a foreign film fromAustralia. Directed by Matthew Saville. 109mins. English. Library Box Office presentsindependent and foreign film series at theJACOB EDWARDS LIBRARY, South-bridge. All films are available for circulationfollowing the screening date. Unless other-wise noted, all films are screened on the 2ndThursday of each month and begin promptlyat 6:00pm in the Pioppi Room.236 Main Street. Southbridge MAhttp://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/

instead happened. Almost none of thePh.Ds predicted that and no one has losta sinecure due to the error.

A radical departure is necessary.Knowing that my country needs me, Ihave decided to organize The Long HillInstitute of Public Policy (LHIPP). Notlightly do we propose a constitutionalamendment.

The doctrine of Separation ofChurch and State has served us well.The founders knew they would onlycause havoc if they tried to choose astate religion. Well, the country hasfailed to choose the right financial faith.Therefore, we at the LHIPP realize thatthis must stop and we proposeAmendment 28, There shall exist nobranch or department of the FederalGovernment dealing with the economy.

You say chaos will ensue? Sorry, it’shere, begun under one administrationand continuing in the current govern-ment. The proposal does not mean that

the government can’t lay and collecttaxes. It just won’t be able to effect agrandiose fiscal policy.

There is a folk tale about the world ofeconomics that I heard years ago.Congress was frustrated by its inability toget to the bottom of our nation’s financialproblems. In light of the conflictingadvice received, they decided to call in allthe economists to testify and try to reachsome consensus. At the end of the testi-mony, the chairman, an old aristocratic,southern senator addressed the last econo-mist, “Suh, we’ve had y’all in here for sev-eral weeks and we have not heard anyconsistent thoughts from you. Can I askyou, are there any in your field who areacknowledged as having a true under-standin’ of the subject.” The witnessresponded, “Yes Senator, there are two.One with the Bank of England and Onewith the Rothschilds in Paris.” TheSenator, delighted responded, “What dothey say.?” The witness replied, laconical-ly, “They disagree.”

From previous page

Murphy’s take on economy and government

Davenport takeshelm at SCU

On April 1, Jeffrey Daven-port, an experienced creditunion executive and commu-nity leader, will take over aspresident and CEO of theSouthbridge Credit Union,he will succeed Thomas J.Smalarz, who will retire onMarch 31. Mr. Smalarz willcontinue as a member of theBoard of Directors.

Mr. Davenport, who wasRegional Sales Manager forCUNA Mutual Group’s EastRegion, based in Madison,Wisconsin, for the last six-and-a-half years, previouslyheaded County FederalCredit Union, in Caribou,Maine, for six years.

Happy Easter • Happy Passover


Arbor Day and Earth Daycome to us during April

YARDWORKSBy Tom Chamberland, ISASTURBRIDGE TREE WARDEN

Caring for what grows in your yard

April is one of my favoritemonths, because we celebratemy favorite holiday, Arbor Day.Arbor Day is a nationally-cele-

brated observance that encourages treeplanting and care. Founded by J. SterlingMorton in Nebraska in 1872, inMassachusetts Arbor Day is celebratedeach year on the last Friday in April. Ibelieve in the words of J. Sterling Morton,who said of Arbor Day; “Arbor Day is theonly holiday that celebrates the future, andnot of events of the past.”

There probably isn’t a yard in the Townthat could not use some type of tree, orshrub, so this month lets go over some basictree planting tips.

One of the biggest problems I see whenI am called in to look at trees is plantingtoo deep.

Tree trunks have a flare at the bottom;this root flare should be positioned slightlyabove grade. In other words, the treeshould look like a bell-bottom pants leggoing into the ground, not a telephonepole. If it looks like a telephone pole, theroots may end up girdling the tree, eventu-ally strangling the vascular system andkilling it.

The planting hole should never bedeeper than the root ball (in a tree that issold as “ball-and-burlapped”), don’t beafraid to pull off some dirt and look for thatroot flair. Make sure the hole is two to threetimes as wide. If the hole you dug is thesame size as the root ball going in, it’s toosmall and remember to remove all wire andat least the top half of the burlap. If it is aplastic container completely remove thecontainer.

Then resist the urge to backfill the holewith soil you have amended with peat orcompost. This advice often sounds coun-terintuitive; that is, the tendency amongmany tree-planters is to provide the treewith good soil around it. The problem thiscreates is like a “happy little zone” and they(the roots) don’t want to grow past that.

Use the soil that came out of the hole,and amend it only if you had to use ajackhammer to get it out (too much clay)or the sides of the hole keep sliding in andyou now have a hole the size of a swim-ming pool (too much sand). Also, resistthe urge to stake your tree becauseresearch shows a tree needs give and taketo grow strong. Sometimes a tree that isstaked too rigidly is too weak to survivewhen the staking material is removed. If

you think your tree needs staking, useflexible material (pantyhose, perhaps) sothere is “give,” and don’t forget to takethe staking material off after one fullgrowing season.

Another very important item iswatering — either too much or too little.Watering is critical during the first threeyears. But trees should not get so muchmoisture that the roots drown. To test,put your finger one inch down into the

root ball. If it’s wet, you’re fine. If not, it’stime to water. The rule of thumb is that atree needs one gallon of water for everyinch of diameter of trunk every five toseven days, if there is less than one-half ofan inch of rainfall during the week, wateryour tree.

And the biggest problem I see throughout town is over mulching. “Mulch vol-canoes” the piling up of mulch aroundtree so they look like mound, with thetree “erupting” will soon become the #1killer of trees in our urban landscape.This over mulching maintains moistureand fungus around the stem of a tree thatis meant to be dry. These fungi will breakdown the cell wall structure leading tofailure and breaking off of the stem. Themoisture will encourage the tree to sendout advantageous filamentous rootgrowth leading to stress and die back ofthe tree during periods of drought, and allthis extra mulch cost money! Mulchshould be no more that 4” thick and keptback from the tree stem several inches,exposing the root flair.

For more tips on tree planting visit theTree Warden’s web page at:http://www.town.sturbridge.ma.us/Public_Documents/SturbridgeMA_Depts/tree-warden

This year the Town will be celebratingArbor Day by handing out tree seedlingsto students at Burgess Elementary and atree planting event on the Town com-mon. I am also pleased to announce thatthe State wide Tree City USA award cer-emony will be held at Old SturbridgeVillage on Friday May 8th, bringing TreeWardens and community tree advocatesfrom around to the state to our fine com-munity as Sturbridge receives its 20thconsecutive Tree City USA Award.

For more information on Arbor Day,tree panting and care visit the NationalArbor Day website at: http://www.arbor-day.org/index.cfm


Help for choosingthe best treatment for Sciatica

THE HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL ADVISER

Q: I've had pain in my rightleg on and off for months. Mydoctor says it's sciatica, andhe recommended that I startphysical therapy and takepain relievers. Wouldn't sur-gery be more effective?

A: Sciatica is pain felt alongthe course of the sciatic nervethat runs through the but-tocks, down the back of thethigh and into the foot andtoes. In nine out of 10 cases,sciatica is caused by a dis-placed disk (also called aslipped or ruptured disk) in the lowerback. Although the problem begins in thelower region of your spine, the pain is feltmostly in the legs.

The best medicine is often patience,because the pain can go away even if theproblem causing it doesn't. In one study,for example, almost half of the sciaticapatients that were given a placebo (whichmeans they are not getting active treat-ment) improved within 10 days, andthree-quarters felt better after a month.No one is quite sure why the pain goesaway on its own, but it often does.

However, if the pain is very bad anddoesn't go away, many people with sciati-ca must decide whether to have surgery.There are several types of operations, butthey all have the same goal -- to relievethe pain. Studies have shown that sciati-ca surgery, which isn't a high-risk opera-tion, effectively relieves the pain. In fact,surgery is a surer bet for sciatica patients

than for people with less-specific sorts oflower back problems.

Still, the message from a couple ofimportant studies has been mixed todownright muddy. After a year or two,the outcomes for patients who had sur-gery and those who got physical therapyor pain relievers are roughly the same.

Many people with the conditionhave a history of back problems, but sci-atica often starts suddenly. It can be trig-gered by something minor, even asneeze. The pain is often sharp and stab-bing, and you feel it in one leg. The legthat hurts may become numb or weak,and you may experience unpleasant tin-gling sensations. Often, all the symp-toms become worse when you cough oreven just sit down. The location of thesymptoms also varies, depending onwhich nerve is affected (see illustra-tion).

If you experience this type of pain,

tell your doctor. A straight-leg test is afast, inexpensive way to tell whether adisk is the culprit. The doctor will liftyour leg while you lie on your back. Iflifting the leg causes the pain, that's agood clue that there's a protrudingdisk of some kind.

An MRI can give you a more pre-cise image of the disk problem.However, you probably don't need animaging test unless you are seriouslyconsidering surgery.

Although sciatica isn't a medicalemergency, if you develop a fever, loseurinary or bowel control, or developmajor weakness along with sudden legpain and numbness, you need urgentattention.

There are various ways to treat sci-atica, depending on the seriousness ofthe problem. Although surgery iseffective and its recovery time is short,the real question is whether it helps in

the long run. Studies show thatsurgery might be the quicker wayto fix the problem, although con-servative treatment or physicaltherapy will have the same out-come in the long run. Before con-sidering surgery, think about thegravity of the symptoms as well asthe expense and the risk.

In the past, doctors recom-mended inactivity and even bedrest. But that's changed. Cliniciansnow typically advise patients tokeep up their daily activities asmuch as possible. Pain relievers,

usually just the standard anti-inflamma-tory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen,are often prescribed. Physical therapy canhelp strengthen muscles in the abdomenand around the spine, which may takesome pressure off the disks. If none of thisworks, some doctors try injecting corti-costeroids, which have a strong anti-inflammatory effect, directly into theback.

The bottom line is that personal pref-erence and individual circumstance playthe biggest role in deciding which treat-ment is best. A large percentage of sciati-ca patients with displaced disks get betterwithout surgery, which certainly arguesfor go-slow, conservative treatment -- andagainst being too quick with the scalpel.It's the tortoise versus the hare, but thistime the race ends in a tie.

Copyright 2009 the President andFellows of Harvard College.

BY THE FACULTY OF HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

A REGULAR FEATURE INTHE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE


projected $23.7 million in revenues)reflects our strong dedication to education.

The critical component in addressingany budgetary expenditures is ensuring thatthe return on investment is in line withtaxpayer expectations, revenues, and com-munity needs.

Pragmatic and well-planned economicdevelopment provides a significant hedgeagainst rising taxpayer costs. Communitiesactively pursuing such practices are gener-ally best able to address theireducational/municipal needs and desires, ina manner best reflective of taxpayer desires.

JAMES EHRHARD. As one ofSturbridge’s elected representatives on theTantasqua Regional School Committee, Ido not think that spending between schoolsand the municipality are by nature pittedagainst each other. As I stated in theanswer to question number 3, educationshould be one of the three main priorities oftax revenue usage. I believe the currentSturbridge town administration and thecurrent Tantasqua and Sturbridge schooladministrations would agree with me.

In order to avoid needless confrontationbetween the non-education needs ofSturbridge (i.e. police, fire, DPW, ect.) andthe funding of the schools, the TantasquaRegional and the Sturbridge school com-mittees need to ensure that their budgetsare as efficient and stream-lined as possible.The Board of Selectmen, in turn, needs tounderstand that the school committees are

constrained by constantly expandingunfunded mandates from the federal andstate governments. The key to success ishealthy communication between theschool committees and the Board ofSelectmen throughout the budget year.

PRISCILLA GIMAS. Everyone needsto pause and reflect on the lessons welearned in kindergarten - how to play nicein the sandbox. What town and school offi-cials and elected individuals need to keepfocused on is that they are servants of thecommunity. Each of them need to remem-ber they are providing services for allSturbridge citizens — children and adultsalike, and they are only able to do sothrough the taxes collected. To overcomethis “rub” voters need to be aware of whichcandidates they elect to town governmentand school committees because these arethe people who can continue the discord orstop it.

TED GOODWIN. The sharing of scarceresources is handled by developing rela-tionships of respect and trust. In the lastthree years, I've worked closely withSuperintendant Dan Durgin and TreasurerDeb Boyd to understand the needs of theschool and to help the school administra-tors understand what the town's needs are.This dialogue has allowed the relationshipbetween the schools and municipality tobecome much more harmonious. Theschools have worked hard to find innova-tive ways to save the town money andrespected the town’s need to address impor-

tant municipal issues.

Question 7. Assuming you don't wishto see the unionization of all eligibletown employees, what measureswould you take to assure that wouldn't happen; if you do favorsuch unionization, why?

TOM CREAMER. American workersare afforded the fundamental right tounionize under the National LaborRelations Act, utilizing a clearly definedprocedural process. It is a right that hasbeen well earned in light of the poor work-ing conditions witnessed over the years.

There are a host of reasons for employeeunionization including wages, working con-ditions, benefits, job security, along withhealth and safety concerns. Clearly, unionshave been the driving force behind the vastimprovements Americans have enjoyed inthe workplace, both union and non-union.

Undoubtedly, the scale can and in someinstances has tipped too far in the oppositedirection. At the national and state level,one can see instances of the pendulumswinging too far along with its economicimpact. Extremes in either direction are ofno long-term benefit to a community or thecountry.

One must consider the reasons forunionization and take the time to objec-tively scrutinize employee needs and thecommunity's ability to address those needsin a manner consistent with sound eco-nomic policies and taxpayer support.

Today’s economic uncertainty providesgreat opportunity to work collectively withunion and non-union employees in creat-ing a cooperative and collaborativeapproach to addressing the mechanisms ofmanaging employee relations.

JAMES EHRHARD. At best, less than7.5% of private sector employees are mem-bers of a union and that number has beengoing down for years. The last main vestigeof unionization is in the government sectorand that is only because public sector col-lective bargaining is protected by layers oflegislation, which is difficult to undo.

The truth is that most employees do notwant to unionize because it tends to stifleingenuity and innovation and causes ineffi-ciency. That said, employees should expectto be paid fairly and treated with theutmost respect. Any business that does nottreat its employees that way deserves theunion which is foisted upon them. Thetown of Sturbridge should pay its employeesfair market wages and treat them withrespect. If it does, unionization should notbe a concern.

PRISCILLA GIMAS. When employ-ees are looking into unionization it is anindicator of dissatisfaction with currentworking conditions. Causes for this arepreferential treatment, inconsiste nt raisesamong town employees, lack of careerdevelopment, and lack of administrativesupport. As a selectman, I would want tospeak with these employees and learn whythey feel unionization would improve theirwork environment. Once you are aware ofthe causes of discontent, you can work toremedy the issues. If they cannot be reme-died, I personally do not have any issuewith unionized employees. The bottom lineis that happy, content employees are pro-ductive, efficient, and effective in supply-ing optimal service to the town.

TED GOODWIN. I do not think it is therole of the Board of Selectmen to encour-age or discourage unionization. The unioncontracts that we have right now are fairand reasonable. There is not presently anarea where more unionization is likely. Thejob of the Board is to ensure that the townremains a fair and reasonable employer andto protect services while minimizing thecosts to the taxpayer.

Question 8. Stopping well short ofromanticizing the traditional NewEngland small town form of govern-ment, make the case for keeping it inthe year 2019, if you can, or make thecase for a different form of govern-ment by then, if you can.

TOM CREAMER. National voterturnout statistics of mid-term electionsindicate less than 40% voter participation,with presidential elections barely reachingor surpassing 50%. Secretary of StateWilliam Galvin expressed “excitement”


Continued from page 13


TOM CREAMER. The Town Charter clearly defines theroles and responsibilities of appointed and elected officials.This document is effectively the “Constitution” of the Townof Sturbridge, and should be guarded and adhered to with thesame diligence with which we respect our national constitu-tion. It can serve no good purpose for a community to allowdeviation from its core governmental document.

Page 5, Section C, Powers and Duties in General of theSturbridge Town Charter outlines the role of the selectmenwith regard to policy, enforcement of bylaws, appointments,and their role as Water and Sewer Commissioners.

Section 5-3 of the Charter clearly defines the TownAdministrator's responsibility “…for the administration of alltown affairs placed in his charge by, or under [the] charter”,listing 15 specific areas (paragraphs A-O, and one general areaof accountability - paragraph P).

In simple terms, one might suggest that the selectmen'srole involves general policy development and determination,along with visionary and moral leadership, while the TownAdministrator is tasked with implementation of that policy,both within the limits of their Charter granted jurisdiction.

Additional guidance for responsibilities and/or authority ofthese two entities can be found in the Town of SturbridgeGeneral Bylaws.

JAMES EHRHARD. The responsibilities of the Board ofSelectmen and the Town Administrator and their intertwin-ing relationship are guided by statute and by-law. The wordlimitations of these answers do not allow for chapter and verseregarding the statutes and by-laws. In general, a member of theBoard of Selectmen is responsible for providing the guidingpolicy to be implemented by the Town Administrator, hisstaff, and town departments. The policy of the Board ofSelectmen guides the Town Administrator unless TownMeeting determines another policy path to take.

This policy guiding role of a Selectman does not precludea Selectman from taking a leadership role to push administra-tive actions. He or she must take care, though, to work withthe Town Administrator and not against him.

PRISCILLA GIMAS. The first and most importantresponsibility of a selectman is to be the voice of the peopleand then work collaboratively, as a member of the Board, todevelop policy for the town. The selectman's responsibility islimited to when the entire Board meets in an official capacity.No selectman has the right and authority to single-handedlyenforce policy.

The responsibility of the town administrator is to enforcethe policies enacted by the Board of Selectmen in a profes-sional, pro-active manner and to mange the day-to-day oper-ations of the town.

TED GOODWIN. The Board of Selectmen are the policysetters for the town. They have a responsibility to look at awide range of opinions. It is the Board's job to try and find theanswers to the citizens' concerns and issues facing the Town.The Town Administrator has a non-political position andenacts the will of the Board and of the Town. It is importantthat he or she supply data and enable dialogue with whoevercan help the board make the best decision possible. He worksfor the Board of Selectmen and the Board works for the towns-people at large.

seek in this position.

TOM CREAMER. I have had the great honor of engagingHeads of State from countries such as Moldova, Croatia,Latvia, Lithuania, Albania, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, etc. asthe point-person for U.S. initiatives. I have honorably andmeritoriously served my country in both direct-actionengagements in hostile regions along with supportive opera-tions. In addition, I have had the opportunity to develop,implement, and manage some of our countries most criticalcounter-terrorism initiatives.

These experiences, coupled with my tenure in the fireservice, my years of volunteerism with the United Way andmy efforts in support of Sturbridge seniors, have crystallizedmy approach to results-based leadership, pragmatic andproactive problem solving, along with an empathic approachto engaging community issues.

JAMES EHRHARD. The law firm I own handles andoversees one of the largest caseloads of bankruptcies in theentire state of Massachusetts, if not all of New England. Eachone of those bankruptcies is an individual’s life, a family’sfuture, or a business and its employees' viability. I personallysign off on every decision made in every one of those cases.These families and businesses look to me to lead them downa path to a fresh start. I do not give them the answers theywant to hear. I give them the reality they must face. In theend, they move forward with a sense of confidence. AlthoughI have clients throughout the state, unfortunately a goodnumber of these clients are residents of the town ofSturbridge.

I am, more than most, on the front line of the economicand personal challenges the people of Sturbridge face.Everyday I make the hard choices on behalf of families andbusinesses because it is my job to look at hard realities andeconomic truths. It is precisely that type of decision makerthat the Board of Selectmen needs today in order to moveSturbridge forward to a better tomorrow.

PRISCILLA GIMAS. My background includes businessconsulting and educational administration. Both venuesrequire collaboration and cooperation with diverse con-stituencies. My doctoral studies and articles I have authoredhave studied administrators' responsibilities to their stake-holders. I am confident that my past experiences have pre-pared me to engage in the opportunities that I will face as aselectman.

The time I spent as a member of the Finance Committeehas further exposed me to see the challenges of providingservices for the community in a cost effective way. As aselectman, I am prepared to accept the responsibilities ofunderstanding the needs of the town departments and findingways to help keep them fully funded so they can service thecitizens of Sturbridge. To quote Leo Rosten, “I think the pur-pose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honorable, to becompassionate. It is, after all, to matter: to count, to stand forsomething, to have made some difference that you lived at all.”

TED GOODWIN. I’m a software engineer at EMC corpo-ration. My job involves ensuring that issues are communicat-ed among our manufacturing, engineering and testing depart-ments. I currently lead a project team working on a new soft-ware program. The project team encompasses 4 engineersfrom China, which has given me a window to global con-cerns, as well as taught me to work with people with viewsdifferent from my own. As on the Board of Selectmen, in myjob, we identify a problem and its parameters and brainstormand discuss solutions. We weigh advantages and disadvan-tages of each solution and decide on a course of action.

Question 10. Exactly what are the responsibilitiesof a Sturbridge selectman? Where do they end andthose of the Town Administrator begin?

prior to the 2008 presidential elections about the possibilityof 30% voter turnout in Massachusetts. These numbers ini-tiated calls for a national holiday approach to elections inorder to increase turnout, and resulted in the motor voterregistration process and the relaxed voter registrationrequirements. Clearly, voter engagement is an issue at alllevels.

Certainly, the scheduling of town meeting is problematicfor some and does warrant study of scheduling alternatives,but to date, I'm unaware of any significant outcry to “scrap”our current system. If such exists, a careful review is warrant-ed, while be mindful of the shortcomings associated withsome of the alternatives.

A significant reason for voter apathy is disenfranchise-ment and disillusionment with the process. In visiting withhundreds of residents these past weeks, I've witnessed a greatdeal of frustration borne by a sense of selective representa-tion and a lack of substantive engagement on local issues. Ibelieve a reinvigoration of voter participation would mani-fest in direct proportion to a more engaged and more repre-sentative Board of Selectmen.

JAMES EHRHARD. The New England small town formof government (Town Meeting — Board of Selectman) willonly work within, as it is described, /a small town/. If thepopulation of a town grows too large, the Town Meetingbecomes unwieldy. The Founding Fathers themselves feltthat direct democracy was not the optimal form of govern-ment and the Town Meeting is one of the last vestiges of itin America. When a population grows too large, a townneeds to transfer to a Mayor — City Council form of govern-ment.

Sturbridge, with a current population approximating9,000, is still well-sized for the Town Meeting form of gov-ernment. The Tantasqua Regional High School auditoriumprovides an excellent venue for the residents to meet and therelatively small population of the town ensures that everyvoice, if it so chooses, can be heard. The main problem withthe current Town Meeting is procedural. Often the mostcontentious issues are left for late into the night. By thatpoint, parents with young children, people with healthissues, and people with jobs in the morning are gone bynecessity. This must change; the most pressing issues must bethe first Warrants debated and voted on.

PRISCILLA GIMAS. Any government, town govern-ment included, is a process that is ever-evolving.Government is not static; it is forever evolving based on theclimate of the community it serves. At this point and for atleast the next 10 years, the form of government we current-ly have meets the needs of its citizens by providing them anopportunity to voice their ideas and opinions at an annualtown meeting.

One thing we could do however is to have each com-mittee publicize their agenda and minutes more vigorously.Even though the information appears on the town's website,not every citizen has access to a computer. By makingit20more transparent and available to the people, we canseek to achieve government by the people and for the peo-ple.

TED GOODWIN. Town Meeting is the strongest exam-ple of direct democracy in the United States today and it isstill working in Sturbridge. It empowers the people of thetown to make a decision and vote directly on the issues.None of us agree with all decisions made at Town Meeting,but it allows the people affected by a situation to come for-ward and make their case to the townspeople. TownMeetings strengthen community ties and encourages partic-ipation in town government.

Question 9. Tell us about your professional season-ing, your preparation for the responsibilities you

VOTE YOURCHOICEAPRIL 13

THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE22

Most people recognize the need for life insurance,but they may not know how much or what kind to buy.

On the surface, life insurance is simple. It is typical-ly purchased so that the person being insured can pro-vide his or her family with financial support in case ofdeath.

But there are many different types of life insurance -and many different uses for it.

The most basic life insurance is term insurance. Asthe name implies, term life provides insurance protec-tion for a specific period of time. If you die during theterm of coverage, your beneficiary receives a paymentcalled a “death benefit.” If you are still alive when theterm expires, your beneficiary receives nothing.

Many people purchase term life when they are start-ing families and keep it until their children are grownand on their own. It is simple and relatively inexpen-sive, although it increases in price significantly as youage. Term insurance policies typically terminate at aspecific age, usually 65 or 70. Since most people livebeyond that age, the beneficiaries often do not collect

a death benefit. The other major type of life insurance is cash-

value insurance, which may be significantly moreexpensive, but it provides coverage throughout yourlife, as long as you do not cancel the policy and con-tinue to pay your premiums. It also builds financialvalue and can be used for many other purposes,including:

— Transferring wealth from one generation toanother, while sheltering an estate from taxes

— Creating cash to buy out the business interestsof an owner after the person dies or retires

— Developing a source of financing or retirementincome

— Creating a charitable giftTypes of Cash-Value Insurance

The types of cash-value insurance, ranging fromthe most to the least conservative, include:

Whole life. Funds from whole-life policies are typ-ically invested in long-term, conservative invest-ments providing modest returns. The policy holdermay also receive dividends, but they are not guaran-teed. The policy holder has no control over how

funds are invested, but premiums are guaranteed toremain at a certain level.

Universal life. Cash values from universal-life policiesalso are invested in fixed-rate accounts and the policyholder has no control over how the funds are invested.However, interest rates credited to the cash values areregularly subject to change. The policy holder generallyreceives interest at close to market rates, so universal lifeis most attractive when interest rates are rising. The pol-icy holder can increase or lower premiums each year, aslong as there is sufficient value to cover insurancecharges, fees and expenses.

By Richard McGrath, CIC, LIAPRESIDENT & CEO, McGRATH INSURANCE GROUP

INSURANCEGUIDANCE Finding the right life insurance

for your needs


Insurance

Variable life. Investments in variablelife insurance are self-directed. Ratherthan investing in fixed-income accounts,the policy holder can invest in stock andbond sub-accounts that have the poten-tial to provide higher returns, but theyalso put funds at risk. Front-end fees andother charges may apply and the cashvalue principal is at risk if investmentsperform poorly.

Variable universal life. Variable uni-versal life combines the protection of uni-versal life with the investment features ofvariable life insurance. Variable universallife allows policyholders to make invest-ment choices from several different sub-accounts. Typically, the sub-accountsprovide a wide range of investment choic-es with various levels of risk and return.Policyholders usually can transfer fundsbetween several different accounts at lit-tle or no charge several times during theyear as investment objectives change or asmarket conditions warrant.

Consider Your GoalsWhen choosing which type of insur-

ance is appropriate for you, keep yourgoals in mind. If your goal is simply toprotect your family, a basic term policymay suffice. If you want the lifetime pro-tection of cash-value insurance, a univer-sal life policy may suffice.

While variable universal life has thepotential to provide higher returns, manypeople believe they are better off invest-ing their money directly, rather thanthrough an insurance policy. Variableuniversal life is also more expensive andcarries surrender charges, meaning youwill pay if you decide you do not want tocontinue the policy. Surrender chargestypically phase out over a number ofyears.

Once you’ve determined the type ofpolicy you want, you still need to consid-er how much coverage you need. Start bydetermining how much your beneficiarieswould need to maintain their currentlifestyle if you were no longer alive to sup-port them. Next, assume that you wereable to invest the death benefit in a waythat provided a reliable source of income.Ideally, you will want the death benefit togenerate enough income to support yourfamily.

Also be certain to buy life insurancefrom a reputable, financially stable insur-ance carrier. You may be carrying the pol-icy for many years, so you'll want tochoose a carrier that's likely to be in busi-ness as long as you own your policy.

This article is written for informationalpurposes only and should not be construed asproviding legal advice.

From previous page

Join U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's staff, Trail Committees from Brimfield, Sturbridge and Southbridge, the Grand TrunkTrailblazers, and an army of volunteers to help spruce up the Westville and East Brimfield sections of theGrand Trunk Trail, Westville Lake Park, and Lake Siog Park. Meet at Westville Lake Park for 8:30 am registration. Pleasebring work gloves and water bottle, and dress for the weather. Pre-registration is requested to allow for proper planning andsupplies. Pizza lunch at noon for all volunteers! For more information or to register contact Park Ranger TomChamberland at [email protected] or phone 508-347-3705. Sponsored by U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers and Grand Trunk Trail Blazers.

Grand Trunk Regional Earth Day CleanupSaturday, April 18; 9 to Noon (rain date 4/19)

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