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OWN CRIERYour Hometown Newspaper Since 2007

MilfordT

Town Crier Publications48 Mechanic StreetUpton, MA 01568

POSTAL PATRONMILFORD, MA 01757

ECRWSS

WHAT

’S INS

IDE

Vol. 6 No. 14 April 12, 2013

Foxwoods Taking Lead in Casino Proposal

Milford Special Olympians Recognized by Board

Members of the Milford Special Olympics Basketball teams, along with friends and family attended the April 4 School Committee meeting, where they were recognized for their eff orts in this year’s Special Olympics games.

Nunes Says Foxwoods Ousted Him from Casino PitchBy Kevin RuddenStaff Reporter/Columnist

Just four days before FXC Massachusetts LLC – driven by the Foxwoods Resort Casino of Connecticut – was set to make a presentation to the Board of Selectmen, David Nunes sent Town Administrator Rich-ard Villani a letter that states his partners had ousted him from the casino proposal. Nunes has been “the” person meeting with the board since 2009 to push for a casino in Milford.

In a story featured elsewhere in this issue, Foxwoods Chief Executive Offi cer Scott Butera told the Town Crier recently that Nunes and William Warner, plus other partners Nunes brought in to help raise the $400,000 “Phase I” fi ling fee with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, are still involved in the casino proposal. “Everbody’s in the picture,” he said, adding, “We were brought on board to provide design, devel-opment and operational expertise.”

Yet, Nunes’s April 4 letter states: “I wish to take this opportunity to inform you that I will no longer be ac-tive in any negotiations with the Town of Milford on behalf of Crossroads Massachusetts, LLC or it ‘alleged’ new entity FCX Massachusetts LLC. While I continue to be the largest shareholder in Crossroads, I have had my authority and my title stripped by my investor partners and they wish to proceed in place of me.”

Nunes wrote that on March 18 he was sent a “cease and desist” letter from a Wilmington, Delaware-based legal counsel “on behalf of the other members of Crossroads Massachusetts, LLC, advising me that I am no longer allowed to assert that Ajax Gaming Ventures, LLC [a company owned by Nunes] or David Nunes have any authority to act on behalf of Crossroads Massachusetts, LLC. I have shed any faith in the project given that the investors and Foxwoods have not invested the time to get to know the people of Milford.”

By Kevin RuddenStaff Reporter/Columnist

FCX Massachusetts LLC – a company controlled by the Foxwoods Resort Casino of Connecticut – is taking the lead on the proposal to bring a resort casino to Milford and plans to invest $1 billion to bring a 350 to 400-room hotel, 4,000 slot machines, 125 table games and at least three specialty restaurants to town if chosen by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

“Th e total dollar cost will be in the area of a billion dollars,” Foxwoods Chief Executive Offi cer Scott Butera told

the Town Crier, terming the facility “state of the art.” When interviewed on March 27, his company was planning to send representatives to meet with the Board of Selectmen on April 8 to discuss its plans.

“We’re working on the design,” Butera said. “We want something that people can be very proud of.” He is looking at creating a facility that Milford and neighboring towns would like to have situated off Interstate Route 495, he explained.

David Nunes and William Warner, plus other partners Nunes brought in to Continued on page 14

Milford High School Cheerleaders National Champions

Th e Milford High School Varsity Cheerleaders captured the National Championship in the Advanced Large Varsity division at the Cheerleaders of America (COA) Ultimate National Cheerleading Championship held March 29-30 in Orlando. Th e team is coached by Heather Johnson.

Th e girls completed a short routine packed with stunts, gymnastics, pyramids, jumps, dance and motions. Th e MHS varsity team roster for the national competition was Allyson Tomaso; Ariana DeMarco; Chloe Morgan; Emily Diantonio; Gabby McGovern; Jenna Smith; Jennifer Gauthier; Kasey Auger; Kayla Smith; Kelly Johnson; Kesley Gaudette; Lili Schmalenberger; Maggie Chute; Mandy Covino; McKenzie Gaudette; Natalie Applebee; Nikki Delgado; Olivia Hickey; Rachael Smith; Rachel Dolan; Sarah MacRae; Sarah McTiernan; Stephanie Wood; Victoria Chiarelli; Courtney Leblanc; and Carla Cubias.

“Th ese girls worked so hard this year and their dedication and hard work paid off in dividends,” said Head Coach Heather Johnson. “I cannot leave out the dedication and support of their parents as well as the MHS community to help make this National Championship a reality.”

By Michael McInnisStaff Reporter

Th e School Committee meeting of April 4 was brightened by the appearance of members of the 2012 Milford Special Olympics basketball teams, who were recognized for their ef-forts in this year’s Special Olympics competition.

Jennifer Walsh, Coordinator of the Milford Special Olym-pics and a Milford vocational teacher, introduced the coaches

Foxwoods CEO Scott Butera

and players for the fi ve teams representing Milford. Both the Milford Dribblers and Milford Gamers took fourth-place in competition, while the Milford Hoopsters and Milford Mas-ters earned Bronze Medals. Th e Milford Juniors were awarded a Silver Medal for their eff orts. Brett Crosby, a member of the

Milford Gamers, was selected to represent the state of Massa-chusetts at the Special Olympics National Conference.

“Th e Milford Special Olympians honor us with their pres-ence, once a year and it’s one of the best days of the year - one

Continued on page 17

A Word From the Publisher ......................2Advertiser’s Club Directory ......................3Advertiser’s Club Introduces ...................3Classified Ads ...............................................18Community Calendar..............................6, 7Dining Guide .................................................19Government ........................................14, 154Meetings ............................................................6

Milford Library .................................................................4Mystery Photo ...............................................................18Ruminations by Kevin Rudden .............................9School News ...........................................................10-13Snowman Contest ..........................................................9Sports & Sports Flash by Chris Vilanni.. 16, 17Spring Spruce-Up ...........................................................8Summer Fun ......................................................................9

The Milford Town Crier APRIL 12, 2013

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V Organic Café62 Main Street, UptonOwner: Veronica RamosOrganic Café’ and Bakery; Art

Gallery; yoga, pilates and events

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A Litt le Common Sense8 North Main Street, UptonLocal products, hand-made

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Corinne Ross, L.M.T.Repeti ti ve Use Injury

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Salon CentralHair Cuts & Color, Facials,

WaxingCarla Pickett : owner206 E. Main St., Milford508-473-1770

RJ Custom AutobodyRob MiniorCustom Autobody Repair293 West Street, Milford508-473-8211

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NEW B’SNew Business In and Around Town

Email Your New Business Announcement to [email protected]

The Town Crier is here to help you get your new business off the ground ....email us at

[email protected] is no charge for your NEW B’S Listi ng

A Word from our Publisherby Al Holman

I am very happy to announce two new features being added to Th e Town Crier, beginning this month. As we complete our 20th year of publishing “Your Hometown Newspaper” in Upton and Mendon, and almost 6 years in Milford, we here at Th e Town Crier want to look back in time to when we started the newspapers. We would like to recognize those loyal advertisers that have been with us since the beginning. Starting in this issue we are going to have an ad that we will call “Town Crier Ad Stars” (see below). In the last 20 years we have served many businesses and advertisers. It has been our goal to help our advertisers reach our readers with information about the services they provide and how to contact them. We have tried to make sure that the stories that we print for our readers are balanced and interesting, plus provide infor-mation to our readers about local businesses, to help readers make good buying decisions. We take pride in our quality of our content, both in articles and advertisements. So please, make a point of visiting and supporting those advertisers that we feature in this and the coming papers who are “Town Crier Ad Stars”.

Th e next feature we are starting in this issue as a “NEW B’s” column. Th is will be a list of the New Busi-nesses in the our towns, and the area, that have just opened. Whether they advertise with us right now or not, we want to provide our readers with the name, address and contact information of new businesses in and around our towns. Each business named will run one week in the Upton/Mendon Town Crier and one week in Th e Milford Town Crier, so each businesses will have an opportunity to be listed in each town. Th e reason we are doing this is to further new businesses and give them a platform to at least an-nounce the existence of their business. Please email us at Th [email protected] with your new busi-ness listing. Find our fi rst NEW B’s column on this page right next to my column.

If our economy is going to grow, then we all need to support small local businesses. If 75% of the growth in the economy is because of small businesses, then we all need to do whatever we can to help that growth. We all need to buy local, because as I have said before, those are the people that live down the street, we go to church with, and whose kids attend school and play our sports teams with our kids. It seems to me that “BUY LOCAL” should be the mantra we all keep saying and practicing.

So in this paper, please make sure to stop in and thank our “Town Crier Ad Star” , Dr. Roger Kaldawy, and the staff at Milford-Franklin Eye Center. We thank them for their commitment to supporting the Upton/Mendon and the Milfort Town Criers over the years. Remember it these business's advertising dollars that bring you Th e Town Crier. And then call or visit with the “NEW B’s”. See what they have to off er and support them too in their new ventures. If you have just started a new business, email us at Th [email protected]

And Th at’s Looking Out My Window - thanking those who have been with us for a long time ... and looking forward to this next year to meet more NEW B’s, and see who our next Ad Star is. Remember to SHOP LOCAL .. it really is fun to do business with people you know!

Al Holman .......... 508-889-1067 .......... [email protected]

Like us on Facebook at "Town Crier

Publications"and read our website

www.towncrier.us

TOWN CRIER AD STARSMilford - Franklin Eye Center

Roger Kaldawy, M.D. John F. Hatch, M.D.

Kameran Lashkari, M.D.

258 Main Street, Milford508-473-7939

391 East Central St. Franklin508-528-3344

Thank you for your continued support of The Town Crier DR. ROGER KALDAWY


TOWN CRIER PUBLICATIONS, INC.

Publishers of:The Upton & Mendon Town Crier

Published the 1st & 3rd Friday and mailed free to all 5,800 addresses in Upton and Mendon, MA.

The Milford Town CrierPublished the 2nd & 4th Friday and mailed free to

all 12,800 addresses in Milford, MA.

48 Mechanic StreetUpton, MA 01568

508-529-7791www.towncrier.us

PUBLISHERAlfred C. Holman

Office: 508-529-7791 ext. 222 Cell: 508-889-1067

[email protected]

Marilyn C. Holman 508-529-7791 ext. 221

[email protected]

Jane BigdaOffice: 508-529-7791 ext. 223

Cell: [email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNJodi McGowan

WEB MANAGERAndy Holman508-918-0555

[email protected]

508-529-7791 ext. 223EMAIL: [email protected] Arcand • Donna Gallo • Anne MazarMike McInnis • Carl Moore • Kristina Law

• Melissa Orff • Shelley Ryan Kevin Rudden • Michelle Sanford • Chris Villani

Town Crier Publications, Inc. reserves the right to reject material it deems unfit for publication in a family newspaper. We reserve the right to edit any submitted articles as needed.

We regret typographical errors in ads but will not take financial responsibility for them. We will reprint at no charge

that portion of the ad in which the error appears.

Member of:New England Newspaper and Press Association

Milford Area Chamber of CommerceBlackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce

ADVERTISINGLORI TATE

508-529-0301 | [email protected], Mendon, Uxbridge,

Northbridge and points west

COLETTE ROONEY508-922-9674 | [email protected]

Milford, Hopedale, Bellingham, Franklin

SUSANNE ODELL508-954-8148 | [email protected]

Hopkinton, Westboro, Graft onHolliston, and Ashland

PUBLICATION SCHEDULEUPTON & MENDON

TOWN CRIER1st & 3rd Friday of the Month

NEXT ISSUE

April 19 • Deadline April 9May 3• Deadline April 23

MILFORD TOWN CRIER2nd & 4th Friday of the Month

NEXT ISSUEApril 26 • Deadline April 16May 10 • Deadline April 30

The Advertiser's Club Directory

Th e Advertiser’s Club Directory is a listing of those businesses that have contracted to advertising at least 12 times a year in Th e Milford Town Crier. Features include a listing in this directory, discounts

and a feature article about your business (size and frequency requirements apply).

SUMMER FUN SECTION HAS BEGUN

Contact Your Sales Rep to Adverti se Your Business,

Product or Program in the Newspaper People

Love to Read!

Business Name ...................................... Ad on Page77th and Vine ...............................................................11AA Limousine .......................................................... nextAff ordable Junk Removal ............................................2Best Rate Cleanouts ....................................................19Boucher Energy Systems .............................................8Bright Beginnings Center ..........................................10Bright Insurance .........................................................14Central Street Resale. ............................................. nextTh e Chop Shop ....................................................... nextConsigli Ruggierio Funeral Home ...........................18CPR Etc. .......................................................................12Creative Community Childcare ........................... nextDr. Sam Alkhoury, DDS ............................................15End Zone/Anna's Grill...............................................19Family Tree Home Care ......................................... nextFortress Computer .................................................. next Foy Insurance ..............................................................12Friehofer Bakery Outlet ......................................... nextGallo Moving ..............................................................13Heaven’s Gate Pet Services..................................... nextHeritage Siding ..............................................................8Hickey’s Wine & Spirits ......................................... nextHighfi elds Golf Club ..................................................12 Iadarola Plumbing ........................................................8Imperial.com ...............................................................20Joliceur Overhead Doors .............................................8 Koopman Lumber ......................................................12LaRose Muscular Th erapy ..................................... nextMedway Oil & Propane Company ...........................19

Milford Catholic Elementary School .......................11Milford Federal ...........................................................13Milford-Franklin Eye Associates .............................18Milford Hardwood.........................................................nextMilford National ...........................................................5Milford Package Store ............................................ nextNathans’ Jewelers ........................................................10New England Window & Siding ................................8Perriello Eye Care ................................................... nextPond Home ............................................................. nextResellables....................................................................... 2Reardon HVAC ....................................................... nextRestaurant 45 ................................................................7 Right at Home .......................................................... nextRitas .......................................................................... nextRun Fit Running and Fitness ......................................2Scannel Services/Hopkinton Roofi ng ................... nextScott Anthony Classic Barber Shop ..................... nextTempleman Tree Service .............................................8Tri County Medical Associates ...................................4United Parish Nursery School ..................................10UPS Store .......................................................................3Wanokura Japanese Restaurant ................................17Wolf Dental .................................................................18Wylie & Julian Oil.......................................................10Zenith Mortgage ..................................................... next

ADVERTISERS CLUB INTRODUCESRita's ...................................................................... 5New England Window, Siding & Remodeling ...... 8

MACC Expo Friends

Grace, Sam and Jake Schoenberg visited with Wally. Photo courtesy of Morin’s Studio and

Camera Shop in Milford

Hundreds of local residents had the chance to meet with area business people at the Annual Milford Area Chamber of Com-merce Home and Business Expo on Satur-day, March 23 at Blackstone Valley Tech. Besides meeting the area businesses, partic-ipants had a chance to play games, try their luck at contests, enjoy the entertainment and visit with celebrities such as the Easter Bunny and Wally the Green Monster, mas-cot of the Boston Red Sox, who was brought to the Expo by Th e Town Crier.

Members Sought for Patient

Advisory Council Milford Regional Medical Center is seeking

community members from their 19-town service area to serve on the hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). Now in its fourth year of operation, the PFAC is dedicated to promoting a partnership between the patients, families, and working professionals affi liated with the Medical Center to promote and foster patient‐centered care.

Th e PFAC at Milford Regional, which meets monthly, includes staff from the Medi-cal Center’s administration and departments, and former patients or those who have had family members receive care at the hospital. Community members must reside within Milford Regional’s service area which com-prises the following towns: Milford, Hoped-ale, Mendon, Blackstone, Medway, Uxbridge, Northbridge, Whitinsville, Bellingham, Franklin, Douglas, Graft on, Upton, Hopkin-ton, Holliston, Millis, Medfi eld, Wrentham and Millville. Members commit to a two-year term and have the opportunity to participate on various committees, task forces and advi-sory boards.

Th ose interested in becoming a member of Milford Regional’s Patient Family Advisory Council must complete and submit an application form by Tuesday, April 30. For more information on the PFAC at Milford Regional and/or to obtain an application, go to the Medical Center’s Web site at www.milfordregional.org and click on “About Us,” or contact Kim Munto by phone at 508-422-2202 or email at [email protected].

New Hours, Permit Fees for Transfer StationBy Kevin RuddenStaff Reporter/Columnist

Th e Board of Health met on March 25and set new spring, summer and fall hours and permit fees for the town’s Cedar St. (Route 85) transfer station beginning on April 4:

• Th ursdays and Sundays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.• Fridays and Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.• Residential (non-commercial) Permits:

$20 for the fi rst vehicle and $10 for each additional vehicle

• Commercial Vehicles and Non-Residents: $30 and appropriate fee for the material being disposed. Commercial vehicles can only use the transfer station on Th ursdays and Sundays.

• Landscapers will be charged $10 for each load of yard waste being disposed.

Reward Offered to Accident WitnessUPTON-Jogger on Graft on Road/Soap Hill that witnessed an incident on Tuesday, March 19 involving a silver Honda SUV. Need a witness report. Contact number is 508-330-9231.


Submitted by Anne Berard, Reference LibrarianDiana Der-Hovanessian Featured Poet

Th e Friends of the Milford Town Library are pleased to announce that Diana Der-Hovanessian will be the featured poet for its annual celebration of National Poetry Month on Saturday, April 13 at 3 p.m. at the Granite & Quarry Rooms.

Der-Hovanessian, a New England-born poet, was twice a Fulbright professor of American Poetry and is the author of more than 25 books of poetry and translations including Dancing in the Monas-tery, Th e Second Question, Th e Burning Glass, Songs of Bread, Songs of Salt, and About Time. She’s trans-lated numerous collections by Armenian poets as well.

Two days aft er her reading at the library, Der-Hovanessian will travel to Yerevan, Armenia for an International Poetry Festival along with other acclaimed poets from 30 nations. Many people of Armenian heritage live in Milford as scores of people emigrated here to live in peace and work in Milford’s quarries, mills, and factories.

Th is reading and signing is free, open to the pub-lic and refreshments will be served. Copies of. Der-Hovanessian’s work will be available for purchase.Drop-In Spring Craft s on April 27

Stop by the Children’s Program Room and take part in a drop-in spring craft for all ages while sup-plies last. Drop-in Storytimes for May

Mark your calendars now, the Children’s Depart-ment is off ering a number of drop-in storytimes throughout the month of May. Th ose wanting to at-tend just need to claim a nametag at the children’s room desk. When the nametags are gone, no more spots are open.

Mother Goose from birth to age 2 -- Friday, May 3, 10, 17 and, 31 at 10 a.m.

Toddler Time for ages 2 to 3 – 10 a.m. on Tuesday May 7, Monday May 13 and Wednesday May 22.

Storytime for ages 3 to 5 – 10 a.m. on Tuesday May 14, Th ursday May 23 and Tuesday May 28.

Art with Heart for grades K-3 – 4 p.m. on Th urs-day May 9, Wednesday May 15, and Wednesday, May 29.

Photography by Jim LinskyDuring April, the photography of Jim Linsky will

be featured at the Milford Town Library’s reference desk. Each Monday, new prints will be exhibited.

Linsky grew up in Natick and taught mathemat-ics at Natick High School for 35 years and began taking photos professionally as a photographer for the Ithaca New Times, while in college. All prints shown are on watercolor paper, mounted and framed in black and a guest book is available for comments. Scenes of nature and still lives are awash in brilliant color and clarity.Senior Book Group

Th e Senior Book Group will discuss on Tuesday, April 16 at 10 a.m. to discuss Chris Bohjalian’s Sand-castle Girls,at the Milford Senior Center. Th is novel is a historical love story inspired by the author’s

Armenian heritage. Set In 1915, rookie American nurse Elizabeth Endicott arrives in Syria to help de-liver food and medical aid to genocide refugees, a volunteer service during which she exchanges let-ters with an Armenian engineer and widower.

Th e book group welcomes newcomers to join the informal, but informative discussions. For more in-formation, or to reserve a copy of Sandcastle Girls, please call the library’s Information Desk at 508-473-2145, ext 219.Contemporary Book Group

Th e Contemporary Book Group will meet on Wednesday, April 24th at 7pm in the Children’s Program Room to discuss Th e Illicit Happiness of Other People by Manu Joseph. Th is quirky and darkly comic take on domestic life in southern In-dia is both a terribly funny and deeply sad story. It tells of a family getting to know itself, of a socialist India that no longer exists and of a society obsessed with grades.

For more information, or to reserve a copy of the Illicit Happiness of Other People, contact Shelley at 508-473-2145 or [email protected] Flower Workshop

Welcome Spring with a fundraiser sponsored by the Milford Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Th e Pressed Flower Workshop by Elaine McNanna at the Milford Town Library’s Quarry Room promises to bring spring into your home. Each participant will create a 5” X 7” heart and fl ower design suitable for framing. All fl owers and mounting boards will be provided.

Register by April 18 for this Monday, April 22, program. A donation of $10 is requested. Make checks payable to MRMC Auxiliary and mail to MRMC Auxiliary/Pressed Flowers, 14 Prospect Street, Milford, MA 01757 For more information call: 508-422-2099.Friends Booksale

Th e semi-annual Friends Booksale will be held on Friday, April 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. (members only) and Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Not only is the booksale an opportunity to get some great books in near new condition for the entire family, but also is an important source of in-come for the Friends of the Milford Town Library. Th e Friends enrich library services in so many ways through lectures, concerts, kids programs, museum passes and more.

Th e Friends welcome donations of gently used books (no textbooks more than 5 years old or Reader’s Digest condensed books). Donations may be brought into the library and placed on the metal cart by the elevator. Receipts for tax purposes may be obtained at the Circulation Desk.Volunteers Needed

Th e Friends are in dire need of volunteers to help at the booksale. If you can help out, please call Lynda Heller at 508-473-7841 or email [email protected].

Set-up --Th ursday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Members only sale -- Friday, April 26, 3:30-7 p.m.Public sale -- Saturday, April 27, 9:30 a.m. to 3pm.Clean-up -- Saturday, April 27, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

MILFORD TOWN LIBRARY80 Spruce St, Milford • 508-473-2145 • fax: 508-473-8651

Mon thru Thur 9 - 9 • Fri 9 - 6 • Sat 9 - 5www.milfordtownlibrary.org

A Pink Invasion in MilfordFlamingos are Flocking to Milford through May 22 to benefi t the Milford High School Aft er Prom Event. Th e safe, alcohol-

free event for students will be held at Pinz on May 24. To fl ock a friend or family

member email [email protected], visit www.

milfordaft erpromparty.webs.com or call Michelle, 508-

922-9865 or MaryBeth, 508-473-5396. Flamingos migrate aft er 24 hours. Shown are the

Class of 2013 Co-Advisors, Amanda Johnson and Linda Johnson with the pink fl ock.

Contributed photo

Milford Police Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs

On April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Milford Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its sixth opportunity in three years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the Police Station at 250 Main St. Th e service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last September, Americans turned in 244 tons of prescription drugs at over 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners. In its fi ve previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in over 2 million pounds—over a thousand tons—of pills.

Th is initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—fl ushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

March Madness in Milford

Over 70 youth participated in a two-week long basketball tournament at the Milford Youth Center (MYC), part of the 4th Annual MYC March Madness Competition. Just like their college counterparts, 16 teams competed for the trophy with Kentucky ending up as the champions. Dwight Anderson, Kyle Hupe, Brittany Renaud, and Angel Seda made up

the Kentucky team! Youth also participated in a three-point contest won by Bekongcho Aminmentse. Shown are members of Kentucky and Gonzaga, the fi nal two teams in the

tournament. Contributed photo


The Advertiser’s Club Introduces

NOTICE

Rita’sBy Bernadette DensonStaff Reporter

If you have driven through Uxbridge center lately, you may have noticed a new business in town. Rita’s is a unique new shop that is actually more like three stores in one, including a dollar store, a second-hand shop, new gift s and home dé-cor. “I have a little bit of everything,” said owner Pat Benoit who opened the store in September 2011 and named it for her beloved mother-in-law.

Th e shop off ers high quality, gently used furni-ture, gift s, jewelry, and appliances that come from large estate sales. Because Benoit purchases the items in bulk, she gets a good price and is there-fore able to off er them inexpensively to her cus-tomers. “I believe if you give people a fair price, they are going to keep coming back,” said Ben-oit. And that’s exactly what they’re doing. Th e business has surpassed Benoit’s expectations and she has already built up a clientele of “regulars” who return to the store weekly to check out the latest off erings.

Benoit had success with a similar shop in Florida where she lived for four years. Aft er returning to Massachusetts, she decided to give it a try in Uxbridge, and she is thrilled with how well the shop has been received. Customers, in turn, enjoy the constant variety of items. “I can guarantee you that every time you come in, you’ll see something new,” said Benoit. As an added service, customers can let Ben-oit know of any special requests for second-hand items. She’ll keep a look out for them, and contact the customer once they become available.

In addition to the pride Benoit takes in owning her own business, she also likes the idea of helping people to repurpose useful items, particularly in the current economy where everyone is watching their spending. In many cases, the second-hand items she off ers have never even been used and still remain in their original packaging.

Benoit’s past experience as a shop owner comes in handy when selecting the store’s inventory of new items as well. “I know what sells and what doesn’t,” she says. She uses that know-how to provide a wide selection of things that customers can use to decorate their homes or provide the perfect gift for a wedding, birthday or baby shower.

Rita’s is located at 6 Main St., Uxbridge, next to Harry’s Famous Pizza. Store hours are Th ursday noon to 8 p.m., Friday 9 to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check us out on Craigslist. Just type in Ritas in the search box to see some of the items we have available. For further information, call 508-278-0800.

Rita’s in Uxbridge is a unique new shop that is actually more like three stores in

one, including a dollar store, a second-hand shop, and new gift s and home décor.

New England Window, Siding & Remodeling


What do the towns of Milford, Framingham and homeowners throughout the area have in common? When it comes to building remodeling and construction services, they place their trust in New England Window, Siding & Remodeling.

For the past 25 years, owners, Steve Bonina and Bob Joannette have been the fi rst choice for home renovations and improvements, including roofi ng, windows, siding, decks, fi nished basements, addititions and garages. “We can build brand new homes from scratch and our construction-supervisors license [allows us to] build commercial buildings, as well.”

“We do a lot of work for the town of Milford and other towns, when they have community development projects,” Bonina noted. “We’re registered to do work for the town of Framingham as well.” In Milford, Bonina and Joannette were called upon for siding projects on Luby Avenue and the remodeling of many of the Main Street building facades, both supported by grant money.

Th e name New England Window, Siding & Remodeling has become synonymous with quality work, which Bonina and Joannette attribute to their many years of experience and to the fact that they prefer to do the work themselves, rather than sub-contracting it out. “Th e owners are always on the job, everyday,” Bonina pointed out.“We don’t cut corners,” Joannette added.

With Spring upon us, many homeowners turn their attention to their home exteriors, following a long winter. “Siding is primarily the Spring thing to do,” Bonina said, while noting that his company off ers several diff erent siding options. “We don’t always do vinyl,” he pointed out. “We (also) do cement-board siding, we can do wooden clapboard, we can do wood cedar shingles.” Th e prime advantage of siding, Bonina noted, is that it is virtually maintenance-free. In place of periodic and oft en expensive painting projects, the homeowner can simply “power-wash it every couple of years - and you’re done.”

Another popular Spring and Summer renovation is the addition of decks, including no-maintenance composite decking and vinyl rail decking, both of which are available to the homeowner through New England Window, Siding & Remodeling.

Th ough Bonina and Joannette prefer to work each job themselves, to ensure quality workmanship, they do have a team of trusted professionals that they can call on for larger construction and remodeling jobs. “Th ere isn’t anything that we really can’t do,” Bonina said.

Based in Milford, New England Window, Siding & Remodeling has a wide service area, having completed jobs in Maine, Connecticut, Cape Cod and Boston, among others. “We’ll travel to wherever the work is,” Bonina stated.

Another important facet in choosing New England Window, Siding & Remodeling is the fact that the company is fully insured and carries worker’s compensation insurance, protecting the homeowner from liability in the event of on-the-job injury. “A lot of companies don’t have [insurance],” Bonina noted.

Whether your remodeling or construction project is large or small, New England Window, Siding & Remodeling stands ready to see it through your satisfaction. “We back up all our work,” Bonina said of the business which earned an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. For more information on New England window, Siding & Remodeling, phone 1-800-696-7160 or 508-478-7160.

New England Window, Siding & Remodeling owners, Bob Joannette (L)

and Steve Bonina (R) have been providing remodeling and construction services for

the past 25 years.


Community CalendarThe Milford Town Crier is pleased to list the calendar events of community groups and

fundraising events of local charities. Maximum 200 words.Published the 2nd & 4th Friday of every month.

Deadline 10 days prior to publication date. Email to [email protected]

MILFORD SENIOR CENTER MILFORD MEETINGS

Breast Cancer Support GroupMILFORD-A Breast Cancer Support Group sponsored by breast cancer survivor, Elaine Eden, will be held in her Milford home on the last Monday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eden has taken the course, Reach To Recovery, through the American Cancer Society and off ers a warm friendly atmosphere for those dealing with the disease. Please call 508-473-4923 for more information and location. Survivors Helping Survivors.

Medium Gary McKinstry Returns to Upton

UPTON-Save the date, Friday, April 26, for return performance by medium, Gary McKinstry, at the Upton Town Hall. Sponsored by Th e Bloomer Girls, McKinstry will provide connections between the audience and their loved ones from the other side. He will focus on members of the audience at the April 26 show and will see who from the other side is reaching out to a loved one. His wife, Virginia, will hand out tickets to each attendee and a few lucky individuals will win a 10 to 15 minute private session with him aft er the show.

For more information about McKinstry visit www.Garymckinstry.com

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Seating is limited. Call 508-529-2822 to reserve your ticket. Th e Bloomer Girls will also have beautiful gift baskets to be raffl ed and snacks & drinks will be available.

Friends of Adin Ballou Essay ContestHOPEDALE-Th e Friends of Adin Ballou are sponsoring an essay contest for students grades seven through 12. Students should write a 250-word original essay on one of the following topics: What does peace mean to me? How can one person help spread peace? What I will do for peace!

Email the entry by April 23 to [email protected]. Please include your name, phone number and date of birth. Participants are eligible to win a $100 First Prize, a $50 Second Prize or $25 Honorable Mention. Winning essays will be published on the Friends of Adin Ballou website at www.adinballou.org.

Sewing by HandMILFORD-Th e Milford Community Program is off ering Sewing by Hand for girls in grades 3 through 5. Lisa Bibring, the Milford Memorial Elementary School Librarian, is the instructor. She has enjoyed sewing for many years, teaching her two daughters.

Th is will be a fun-fi lled beginner’s class in which your child will learn a variety of stitches and complete at least three projects. Th e more experienced students will move beyond the basics to use decorative embroidery stitches on projects such as a handbag, ornament or patchwork pillow. Students who have previously taken this class will have new projects to choose from also.

Th e program will be off ered for seven weeks on Saturdays beginning April 27 through June 8 from 9:30 to 11a.m. in the MHS Art Room.

Registration forms and other program infor-mation may be found on the Milford Commu-nity Program website at www.mcs.milford.ma.us. Please call the offi ce at 508-478-1119 with ques-tions. All registration forms and fees must be sub-mitted to the Milford Community Program offi ce located at 31 West Fountain Street, Milford MA 01757 prior to the start of the program.

Marianne Hatton Hosted by Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild

MENDON-Th imble Pleasure Quilt Guild is pleased to have guest speaker Marianne Hatton, quilt author, at the April 18 meeting to be held at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Church 13 Maple St., in Mendon.

Hatton was raised in South Africa, and has been a quilt teacher for over 20 years. Her book Simply Dynamic Sampler Quilts demonstrates techniques to design sampler quilts with a contemporary fl air. In addition to her talk, she will have a trunk show, showcasing her quilts and copies of her book available for sale and signing.

Guests are welcome to attend for a $5 fee. For more information, please visit www.thimblepleasures.org.

Free Oral, Head and Neck ScreeningMILFORD-Milford Regional Medical Center is off ering an Oral, Head and Neck Screening on Wednesday, April 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center at Milford Regional. Th e screening is provided free of charge to the community in collaboration with DFBWCC, Milford Regional Medical Center and Tri-County Ear, Nose & Th roat Surgery.

Milford Regional Otolaryngologist Dr. Neal Gehani from Tri-County ENT will examine the face, mouth and neck for lesions and swollen areas. Individuals who smoke, chew tobacco and/or use alcohol in excess are encouraged to attend as well as those with any of the following symptoms: hoarseness for more that two or three weeks, chronic sores on the face that are growing, diffi culty swallowing or sores in the mouth.

Th e Oral, Head and Neck Screening is by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call the Milford Regional Cancer Screening Line at 508-422-2209.

Team Strength Autism Resource Center Fundraisers

MILFORD/MILFORD-Our team will be running a 5K race on April 28 to support the Autism Center of Central MA. Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. Please visit the website for more information: www.autismresourcecentral.org.

On Saturday, April 21 from 1-6 p.m., 20 percent of the fees for Ten Pin Bowling at Pinz, 110 South Main St., Milford, will be donated to the Autism Resource Center.

The SInging Trooper ConcertUPTON-On April 20 Dan Clark, Th e Singing Trooper, and his wife Mary, will present a concert to benefi t Autism Speaks at the United Parish of Upton at 7 p.m. All proceeds will benefi t Autism Speaks. Th e organizers will also be celebrating Armed Services Day; all veterans will be admitted free of charge, thanks to the Upton Men’s Club!

Pinheads of The PacificMEDWAY-Pinheads of the Pacifi c will be presented by Medway Players on April 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. at the Medway Library, 26 High St. Call 774-287-8374 for tickets: adults, $15, and $12, seniors and students.

Edible Perennial Gardening and Landscaping

UPTON-Edible Perennial Gardening and Landscaping, a power point presentation about growing trees, shrubs, vines, canes, and herbaceous plants for produce in New England with naturalist and landscaper John Root, will be presented at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 12 at the Upton Town Hall, 1 Main St. Informational fl yers will be available, and plants will be off ered for sale. Th e program, which is free and open to the public, is supported by a grant from the Upton Cultural Council.

Th e Milford Senior Center, located at 60 North Bow St., is open Monday through Th ursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Contact

the center by calling 508-473-8334 or emailing [email protected]. Ruth Anne Bleakney is the

director.April 25

10 a.m. Milford Town Election Candidates Forum

12:30 p.m. Healthy Living Lunch, Do I Need a Hearing Aid, Dr. Neal Gehani

April 2612:30 p.m. Lunch & Movie, Th e Words

5 p.m. Senior PromMonday

8:30 a.m. Game Room8:30 a.m. Fitness and Equipment & Internet

8:30 a.m. S.H.I.N.E.9 a.m. Silver Sneakers

10:30 a.m. Zumba Gold1 p.m. Mexican Train Dominos

1:15 p.m. Safe ExerciseTuesday

8:30 a.m. Game Room8:30 a.m. Fitness and Equipment & Internet

8:30 a.m. S.H.I.N.E.10 a.m. Tai-Chi11 a.m. Whist

12:30 p.m. Turkey Foot Dominos1 p.m. Mah Jongg

Wednesday8:30 a.m. Game Room

8:30 a.m. Fitness and Equipment & Internet8:30 a.m. S.H.I.N.E.

9 a.m. Silver Sneakers1:30 p.m. Bingo

Th ursday8:30 a.m. Game Room


9 a.m. Knitting and Sewing Class9:30 a.m. Senior Yoga

1 p.m. Mah Jongg1:15 p.m. Safe Exercise

Friday8:30 a.m. Game Room


9 a.m. Silver Sneakers9 a.m. Hairdresser

9:30 a.m. Watercolor Art Classes10:30 a.m. Zumba Gold Classes

An Evening of Music And ArtMILFORD- Award winning musician and music educator Jesse Fontaine will take to the stage with his group of musicians for An Evening of Music and Art at the Bell Town Room at Sacred Heart Church, 11 East Main St., Milford on April 26. Th e exhibit, open for viewing at 7 p.m., will showcase a selection of Album Covers, from 1949 to 1986, by the twentieth century pop artist Andy Warhol. At 7:30 p.m., Fontaine will perform his arrangements of songs from Tony Bennett to Billy Joel, in a concert setting. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefi t Milford Catholic Elementary School Music Department and UNICEF. Ticket Donations: $12 General Admission; and$10 for Children, 12 and under; and Seniors over 65. Tickets will be available at Milford Catholic Elementary School and Th e Music Nook through April 25 and at the door the evening of the performance. For tickets call 508-473-7303 or visit www.jessefontaine.net for more information on the music.

Unless otherwise noted, the activities take place at Town Hall. Offi cial meeting notices are posted on Town Clerk’s Bulletin Board.

For additional information, contact the appropriate Board or offi cial.

Monday, April 15Patriots Day, Town Hall Closed

Tuesday, April 16Board of Assessors, Room 14, 2:30 p.m.

Planning Board, Room 03, 7 p.m.Wednesday, April 17

Commission on Disability, Room 14, 7 p.m.Th ursday, April 18

Industrial Development Commission, Room 14, 4 p.m.

Conservation Commission, Room 03, 7 p.m.Monday, April 22

Board of Selectmen, Room 03, 7 p.m.Tuesday, April 23

Sewer Commission, Room 14, 6 p.m.Wednesday, April 24

Vernon Grove Trustees, Room 02, 3 p.m.Personnel Board, Room 02, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13SATURDAY, APRIL 132nd Saturday Every Month

7:30 - 9:30pm Cover charge: $7 per person

No Cover for PerformersTickets at the door or online:

www.newenglandvocalarts.org

Susan Bonito, Executive Directorwww.newenglandvocalarts.org

Voice Lessons • Musical Theater • Performance ArtsBeginners to Professionals

New England Vocal Arts

Refreshments by Red Barn Coffee Roasters from Angel’s Cafe

Monthly OPEN MIC

Clock Tower CoffeehouseClock Tower CoffeehouseHOT SPOT

United Parish Church Vestry1 Church St., Upton

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115 Water St., Milfordwww.hctschool.com • 888.981.7178

New Classes Forming NowDay and Night Programs

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Don’t Forget Mother’s Day Reservationsor You Will be in Trouble!

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MRMC Auxiliary Community FundraiserMILFORD-On April 19, have a fun and tasty evening and help to support the Milford Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. From 5 to 8 p.m., Th e Dairy Queen in Milford will donate 10 percent of all pre-tax sales to the Auxiliary. Th e Auxiliary conducts many fundraisers throughout the year, which provide support to MRMC departments having special needs. Th e Auxiliary is also contributing to the planned expansion of the hospital. For more information, call 508-422-2099.

Upcoming MACC EventsAREA-Th e Milford Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) will hold Connections Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, April 26 and will be sponsored by the Milford National Bank at its 300 East Main St. branch.Th e event will feature a free Seminar on Debt Collection Strategies for Your Business. Panel members include Kristin Carvalho, president and CEO of Milford National; Steve Lombardi owner of Goldberg & Donovan, Inc; John Tammaro, president and CEO of Debt Management, Inc; and Jessica Murphy, attorney with Mirick O’ Connell.

For more information visit www.milfordchamber.org or call 508-473-6700. To register email [email protected]

Bright Beginnings OpeningsHOPEDALE-Bright Beginnings preschool in Hopedale still has space left in the preschool and Pre K classes for the 2013-2014 school year. Small class sizes and small teacher to student ratio, and lead teachers have at least a four-year degree in Early Childhood Education. Students must be 2.9 years of age as of August 31, 2013, but do not need to be potty trained and non-residents are welcome!! Visit www.hopedale.k12.ma.us/bbeginnings or call 508-634-2213 for more information.


Artfull AnimalsMILFORD-Th e Blackstone Valley Art Association (BVAA) is hosting its second art show at Milford TV, 138 S. Main St. Milford. Artfull Animals is the theme of the show and features Milford artist Carolyn Letvin and Elizabeth Havens, a BVAA member, plus other members of the BVAA. Th e show runs for the months of March and April. Th e artist reception will be April 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. light refreshments will be served; it is free and open to the public. Th is is a fun family friendly show. Donations of cat food and toys are being accepted for the Milford Humane Society. Southwick Zoo has graciously donated a pair of passes, which will be raffl ed off at the opening.

Letvin creates stylized feline and farm animal imagery. Th is show features 10 of her sheep paintings in various media. Havens likes to paint in oils, acrylic and watercolor, and painting is truly a passion of hers. She hopes viewers of the show see the happiness and life in her paintings.

Lessons in Household BotanyMILFORD-Th e Greenleaf Garden Club of Milford will explore Household Botany with a presentation by author, botanist and researcher Judith Sumner on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Milford Senior Center, 60 North Bow St., Milford. Sumner’s talk will explore how colonists and their descendants used the plants that they carried from Europe as foods and medicines, while adapting North American fl ora for survival and sustenance. Judith will discuss practical botanical knowledge and will point out the ongoing use of these Old World foods, herbs and spices in our American homes. Sumner is a botanist specializing in fl owering plants and has taught at the Arnold Arboretum and Garden in the Woods and is presently on the faculty of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She is the author of the book, American Household Botany.

Th e Greenleaf Garden Club welcomes new members. If you wish to join, please contact Jean DeLuzio at 508-473-7790.

Th e Greenleaf Garden Club of Milford is a member of the National Garden Club, Inc. and the Garden Club Federation of MA, Inc.

Friends of Milford Town Library Book Sale

MILFORD- Semiannual book sale will be Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a preview sale for members of the Friends on Friday, April 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. Memberships to the Friends are $10 per year and may be paid at the door. Th ousands of books are available: bestsellers, mysteries, classics, books on history, investing, hobbies and craft s, and children’s books plus audio books, CDs, DVDs and videocassettes. Prices are 50 cents for mass-market (small pocket-size) paperbacks and $1 for hardcovers and trade paperbacks (large-sized) in the adult section. All children’s books are 25 cents. Proceeds help the Friends fund programs, museum passes and materials for the Library.

If you have books to donate, please bring them to the Milford Town Library before the sale. We don’t accept textbooks more than fi ve years old or Readers Digest condensed books.

MCES Touch-A-Truck EventMILFORD-Milford Catholic Elementary School (MCES) will be hosting a Touch-A-Truck Event on Sunday, April 28, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Sacred Heart parking lot, 11 East Main St., Milford. Admission is $5 per child. Children will be given the opportunity to not only touch but actually get into the vehicles, in addition to meeting their hometown heroes who own and operate these vehicles. Raffl es, craft s and refreshments, all to benefi t MCES.

Moore Hosts Senior Social HoursAREA-State Senator Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, will host “Senior Social Hour” on Friday, April 19, Hopedale Senior Center, 9 to 10 a.m. “Th ere are many issues that are unique to our aging population,” said Sen. Moore. Constituents requiring immediate assistance should contact Sen. Moore’s offi ce at 617-722-1420 or visit www.senatormoore.com/services.

MHS Class of 2015 Live and Silent Auction

MILFORD-Th e Milford High School Class of 2015 will be hosting a Live and Silent Auction at the Hoboken Citizen’s Club in Milford on Saturday, May 4 at 7 p.m. As our largest fundraiser, the Live and Silent Auction plays a vital role in our fundraising eff orts. Tickets are $10 to attend. Th ere are many exciting items to bid on, including Red Sox Tickets, Dinner for eught prepared by Chef Carla Tuttle, Bose Wave Radio III, and much much more! If you would like to donate an item or purchase tickets: contact Susan Braza at [email protected].

D.A.R.E. Massachusetts Solicitation MILFORD-D.A.R.E. Massachusetts has notifi ed the Milford Police Department that it will be soliciting local residents and businesses by telephone over the next month. Although D.A.R.E. Massachusetts is a registered non-profi t organization, the Milford Police Department is not involved in this solicitation for donations and the Town of Milford and the Milford Police Department do not derive any benefi ts or services from donations made to D.A.R.E. Massachusetts.

Residents or business people should direct any questions that they may have to Domenic DiNatale, Executive Director, D.A.R.E. Massachusetts at 781-324-5055.

Find Yourself FridayMILFORD-Th e Milford Youth Center and

JAG Youth Council will host a “Find Yourself Friday” Youth event on Friday, April 26 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Milford Youth Center. Th e event will include music, dancing, snacks and games! Th e JAG Youth Council decided to have the proceeds of the event go towards their Relay for Life team. Th e JAG Youth Council discussed that they wanted participate in Milford’s Relay for Life on May 10 to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fi ght back against a disease that has already taken too much. Relay teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around the high school. Relay events are up to 24 hours in length and, because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times. To donate to the MYC & JAG team, visit http://www.relayforlife.org and search for our team! If you would like to volunteer at the event please contact Jen Ward at [email protected]

St. Mary Pipe Organ Benefit ConcertMILFORD - A Concert of Works for Choir and Organ will take place Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 3 p.m. at Saint Mary of the Assumption in Milford. It will feature the Choir of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Milford under the direction of Music Director Robert Blake. In addition to the choral off erings, solo organ repertoire will be performed by organist Terry Kerr of Saint Joseph’s Church, Medway, and Milford organist Kyle Bertulli, of Th e Congregational Church of Littleton and Saint Peters Church, Northbridge. Featured compositions will include works by J. S. Bach, Billings, Byrd, Mozart, Palestrina, Stainer, and others.

Admission is free with a $20 suggested donation. All donations will be used to help defray the cost of Phase One of the restoration of the 1873 Steer and Turner Pipe Organ at Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Milford.

Tri-County Sleep Center to Host Teen Sleep Week

MILFORD-During the week of April 15, the Tri-County Sleep Center, located at 194 West St., Milford, will host Teen Sleep Week. Th is is a free benefi t open house where teens and their parents/guardians can learn more about Teen Sleeping. Over the three-day event, teens can tour the facility, talk with a registered sleep technician, receive information about services off ered to them, and learn how they can get a better nights’ sleep.

All teens ages 13 and up are welcomed from April 16 and 18 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and April 17 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Th e Medical Director, Dr. Kathleen Aras-Richard will also speak at a presentation titled Sleep in the Teen Years on Wednesday April 17 at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Th e lecture is free and open to the public. Reservations can be made by calling the Sleep Center at 508-381-6590.MHS Class of 2016 Car Wash

MILFORD-Th e Milford High School Class of 2016 will be conducting a car wash on Saturday, May 4, with a rain date of Saturday, May 11, to benefi t its general fund. Th e Class will also be conducting a fundraiser/bake sale for Alex’s Lemonade Stand during this time. Th e Car Wash will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the high school at a cost of $5. Please help out the Class of 2016 and help eradicate childhood cancer.

TEAS Review and Test Dates at Valley Tech

UPTON-Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School’s post-secondary Practical Nursing Program, a part-time evening nursing program, announces it will be off ering TEAS Test Dates.

TEAS Test Dates: Th e scheduled TEAS Test May 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. Everyone taking the test MUST be in the Valley Tech building 30 minutes prior to the start of the exam time. All tests are computerized.

For more informationon how to register for a TEAS Test Date, visit www.valleytech.k12.ma.us/nursing/Nursing-HOME.html or contact the Practical Nursing Program offi ce at 508-529-7758 Ext. 3122

Community Brown Bag Lunch/DinnerMILFORD-Please join us for a free, nutritious, Community Brown Bag Lunch/Dinner on the last Saturday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Universalist Church, Pine St. Milford. During these winter months hot, homemade soup has been added to the menu that includes sandwiches, hardboiled eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables, drinks (hot and cold) along with snacks. Everything is packaged so that it can be eaten on site or taken home. Please enter the church by the side door next to the former Dunkin Donuts for the food distribution, which is sponsored by the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Milford.

Great Strides at Southwick’s ZooMENDON-Join us for the Mendon Great Strides at Southwick’s Zoo, 2 Southwick St Mendon, on Sunday, May 5. Fundraising Requirement for a family of is a minimum of $125. Register at http://www.cff .org/Chapters/mass-ri/GREATSTRIDES/. For more information contact Danielle Kempe at (508) 655-6000 or dkempe@cff .orgFunds raised through Great Strides have helped spur dramatic progress in the lives of those with cystic fi brosis. Fift y years ago, most children with CF did not live long enough to attend elementary school. Today, people with CF are living into their 30s, 40s and beyond. Th e 2013 goal of Great Strides is to raise nearly $42 million nationwide for CF research, education and care.

Twice Blessed Thrift ShopHOPEDALE- Th e Twice Blessed Th rift Shop at Sacred Heart Church of Hopedale will off er the following April Specials – Raincoats and Jeans for $1 and Spring Décor $.50 and up. Th e shop is open Th ursdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.


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Milford Upper Charles Trail Clean-up

Volunteers Needed for Earth Day Cleanup

In celebration of Earth Day, the Blackstone Riv-er Watershed Association (BRWA) is sponsoring a river shoreline cleanup on Sunday, April 21, 1 to 3 p.m.Th e cleanup will take place in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Conserva-tion and Recreation (DCR) Park Serve Day being held throughout the state.

BRWA Team Leaders will work with volunteers along waterways in Graft on, Millbury, North-bridge, Uxbridge and Blackstone. Have fun out-doors while protecting your local water resources. You can make a diff erence by volunteering just a couple of hours of your time. Th is project also meets community service requirements for many organizations. Aft er the cleanup, volunteers will meet at River Bend Farm Visitor Center in Ux-bridge, MA, at 3 p.m. for pizza and drinks, pro-vided by the BRWA. Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. will be sponsoring a Clean and Green Fair from 2:30 – 4 p.m. at the Visitor Center with environ-mental demonstrations and children’s activities. Events will be held rain or shine.

For more information, or to register for the cleanup, call the BRWA offi ce at 508-278-5200 or email at [email protected].

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Th e Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail will hold their annual Earth Day Clean-up on Saturday April 20 from 9 a.m. until noon.

Volunteers, who are asked to dress for the weather and bring their own brooms, rakes and work gloves for heavier chores, should meet at the Fino Field parking lot at 9 a.m. Volunteer teams will be dispatched to the specifi c areas where they are most needed. As the length of the trail has virtually doubled this year it is important to

target clean-up tasks so that we do not double up on some areas and leave others unattended. Many areas will receive a ”spring cleaning” thanks to our Adopt a Trail Partners. Currently 13 organizations and families maintain specifi c locations including: Th e Vineyard Church of Hopkinton, Friends From Walden Woods, Many Trail Hands, Montgomery Lodge of Masons, Wegmans Supermarket, Compassion New England, Hockomock YMCA,. Consigli Construction, YOU, Inc., Italian American Vets, Th e Brundrett Family, Alternatives Unlimited, and Th e Staupe Family.

Rain date for this event is April 27.For information about the Friends please visit

www.milfordtrail.org and fi nd us on Facebook.

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For Girls and Boys Ages 6 To 14 Year Olds.4 day Clinic during April School Vacation Week (Tuesday - Friday) April 16-19 from 9 am - 2 pm

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Spring Outdoor Adventure Clinic

July 24 - 28 Splash Into Summer July 8 - 12 Super Hero’s & Princesse’s July 22 - 26 Diva Party July 29 - Aug 2 Backyard Fun

Aug 5 - 9 American Doll Aug 12 - 19 Treasure Island Aug 19 - 23 Shake it Up

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SNOWMAN CONTEST

I’m going to miss Lou Celozzi being Town Administrator.

In all the decades that I’ve been a re-porter, I’ve never encountered any mu-nicipal offi cial as “straightforward” as Celozzi. You knew just where you stood with him, because he let you know it – in no uncertain terms. No “weasel words” for Lou. Just plain talk.

For example, there was the time the Board of Selectmen wanted one of our U.S. Senators to know about the cost involved in complying with the EPA’s proposed stormwater disposal mandates for the Charles River. When he got the senator’s aide on the phone, I could hear Celozzi’s “blunt talking” to him – right through the Town Hall walls while I was standing outside in the parking lot. “We don’t pay him to be nice. We pay him for results,” one of the selectmen said about that episode.

And, I have to confess, I’ll miss Ce-lozzi’s faked exasperated tone as he yelled, “What do you want?” whenever I appeared at his door to ask him a ques-tion. Lou, enjoy our retirement!

Consider Massachusetts lucky. Th e state plans to have three resort casinos scattered across the southeastern, Bos-ton/central, and western parts of the Commonwealth. On a trip to California last month, I found casinos almost every-where, with billboards up and down the interstate and state highways alike her-alding their proximity. I spent the same amount of money in them – zero – as I plan to spend if one shows up in Milford.

And, it seems the likelihood of a casino

being built on Route 495 is getting stron-ger. Foxwoods’ Scott Butera is now the front man, sounding a lot more “smooth” and community-friendly than David Nunes. Butera’s reputation as a casino fi -nancial turnaround “fi xer” precedes him – and that may resonate better with state gaming offi cials than the recent and em-barrassing refusal by some of the Suff olk Downs’ partners to have their fi nancial backgrounds probed.

Th at reminds me that I have to “tweak” the folks at Casino-Free Milford just a little When they appeared before select-men on March 18, they noted that there is no place else in the United States where a resort casino would be built so close to existing homes. But, when I pointed out that I found a few casinos near homes during my California trip, one of their leaders quickly qualifi ed the statement to mean non-Native American casinos only.

I’m not trying to split hairs, CFMers, but you didn’t say that up front. If you want to be thought of as providing cred-ible research, make sure you don’t make such broad statements in the future. Believe it or not, people like me do fact-check what you say.

Th at said, your presentation last month was probably the best I’ve ever seen given by a citizen’s group. Despite the yelling by a few yahoo supporters in the audience, you gave a solid, fact-fi lled presentation to make your case. Th at’s not an easy thing for people unaccustomed to public speaking to do, and you deserve credit for it.

RuminationsBy Kevin Rudden, Town Crier Columnist

Th anks and Congratulations to ALL OF OUR PARTICIPANTS ... you are all Winners!

Goliath

Christy (Left ), Julie (Middle),

Christopher (Right) Dutton

of Milford, built this

snowman, Goliath. He is approximately

9 1/2 feet. Circumference of Largest Ball

is approxi-mately 13 feet.

A Filipino Snowman

Myla Berry was visiting in Milford from

the Philippines and built this

snowman while enjoying the

beautiful snowy weather here.

The Flynn FamilyBilly, Lisa, Katrina and Cecilia Flynn of 190 West River Street, Upton, built

this giant snowman. 14 ft . tall and 26 ft . around.

We Crown the Flynn Family with the 2013 “Largest Snowman” Award

Milford Youth Center Summer CampMILFORD-Milford Youth Center Summer Camp registration is now open. Activities include weekly fi eld trips and fun in-town activities! Some trips include Southwick’s Zoo, Canobie Lake Park, Basketball Hall of Fame, Bellingham Cinema, Ice-skating, Pinz Entertainment, Water Wizz, and a whale watch. In-town activities include Fino Pool, the Town Park, and activities at the Center.

Camp will start Monday, June 24 and run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Th ere is no camp the week of July 1-5. Th ere is an extended day option from 4-5 p.m. Payment can be by the week or the day. Fees and application form are available on line at www.milfordyouthcenter.net or by calling 508-473-1756.

If there are any local businesses or organizations that would like to sponsor a camper this summer please contact the Cen-ter! Every year we receive donations that help make camp avail-able for local youth in need!

Lions Club Brings Circus to Mendon

MENDON-Th e Mendon Lions Club announces that the annual Mendon Circus Day will take place on Tuesday, June 25 when Th e Kelly-Miller Circus comes to town with its all-new 2013 show. Th is year, the circus will set-up the big top in the lot at the corner of North Avenue and Route 16. Shows will be at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Advance ticket sales will benefi t Mendon Lions Club community projects. Ticket locations will be announced soon. Be certain to circle June 25 on your calendars for a day of fun at this family friendly event.


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Crisis Training Session Receives High Marks From Holland


At the School Committee’s March 21 meeting, Chairman Patrick Holland commented on the crisis management training program recently held at Milford High School.

Th e mandatory training session, which was held March 15, involved some 550 teachers and staff from the Milford school district and was conducted with the assistance of members of the Milford Police Department. Th e program was developed by Synergy Solutions, of Franklin, a consulting fi rm, co-owned by Sargent Jay Brennan of the Medway Police Department and Franklin Police Detective Chris Baker.

“It went very, very well,” Holland noted. “I was there ... watching the progress of the training. Don Quattrochio, who’s a member of our security sub-committee, was there, as well. He was participating as a teacher, so members of the School Committee got to see both sides; what it was like inside the lock-down room when we were doing these drills and what it was actually like, conducting the lock-down drills on the outside.”

Teachers and staff were assigned to classrooms and exposed to the simulated armed-intruder security breach. During the resulting lock-down, the participants were encouraged to take a more pro-active approach than under the previous lock-down policy. Using the materials at-hand, doors were barricaded and plans were put in place to deal with the threat, should the intruder actually gain access to the classroom. In addition, teachers and staff were encouraged to make use of escape routes that may become available; another departure from the previous lock-down policy. “It was an empowering experience and it sent them back to the their rooms, to look at their rooms and see what they could do to make them more secure in the event of a crisis,” Holland said.

Th e somewhat controversial training session caught the attention of both local and national media, with Boston television station WBZ-TV dedicated a segment to the training session during their evening news broadcast and through an article by the Associated Press, which appeared in a number of major newspapers across the country. “I was reading blogs from the San Francisco Chronicle on the training that we had,” Holland informed the Board.

“I’ve never, in my experience as a member of the team, here at the Milford schools, been more proud of our staff and what we’ve done,” Holland stated. “It was a tremendous experience.” He also applauded the eff orts of Synergy Solutions. “Th ey did a tremendous job.”

Th ough Holland admitted that there was a fair amount of trepidation among staff members prior to the beginning of the training session, “aft er it was over, they thought it was a great experience." Following the actual training session, teachers and staff were invited to gather in the auditorium and we're given an opportunity to voice their opinions on the session.

“I think now,” Holland concluded, “Our schools are more prepared than ever in the unlikely event that some terrible crisis situation occurs. I’m extremely proud of our entire staff and all of our teachers. It was a wonderful experience and I want to thank them for taking it seriously and for their participation - it really is for the benefi t of our school system.”

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Proposed School Budget Needs More Trimming

Architectural Firm Named For

Woodland ProjectBy Michael McInnisStaff Reporter

School Committee Chairman, Patrick Holland recently provided the Board with an update on the Woodland School Building Project, highlighted by the announcement that an architectural fi rm had been chosen for the project. Superintendent of Schools Robert Tremblay, who normally provides such updates, was absent from the meeting, to attend to personal matters.

Following the interviewing of several fi rms, by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and representatives of the town, Holland noted that the unanimous choice for the project was the fi rm of HMFH (Hill, Miller, Friedlaender, Hollander) Architects, Inc., located in Cambridge.

HMFH was founded in 1969 and has received numerous awards for their designs. “One of the reasons they were chosen,” Holland relayed, “Was that they were particularly well-qualifi ed to work in Milford.” He explained that the fi rm had, in the past, worked on the “envelope” of the Stacy School building and also replaced the roof on that building. HMFH also had “done site-work on the Woodland school, in the past,” according to Holland. “Some of the work that they applied towards that site work can be reused for the Woodland school project, whether it’s a renovation or whether it’s a new building.”

Another important factor in the fi rm’s selection, Holland noted, was related to cost saying, “Th ey were one of the lowest cost-per-square-foot architects among all the architects that work with the state building authority, which was very reassuring to all of us,”

With the selection of the project’s architects, there is now a timeline in place for delivery on preliminary designs. “I think we plotted out 22 weeks before ... they can tell us what can be done with the sites,” Holland stated. Th ough the MSBA, which is providing a portion of funding for the project, requires that more than one site be considered, Holland felt confi dent that the existing school site would prove “an appropriate site and will be the correct site”.


Prior to presenting the Fiscal 2014 budget proposal to a Finance Committee sub-committee, members of the School Committee met at a weekend meeting in Superintendent Robert Tremblay’s offi ce “going through the budget and working through what we need to fund a lot of our programs and to continue to off er the services [presently off ered],” said Committee Chairman, Patrick Holland.

Th ough the town has mandated that all departments not exceed a 2 percent increase over last year’s budgets, the School Department determined that a 4 percent increase was what was necessary and presented their fi ndings to the Finance Committee on March 20.

In a presentation at a recent School Committee meeting, Holland noted that of the 4 percent increase, “almost 2 percent of our budget request was for Special Ed and ELL (English Language Learners) programs. Th ose programs,” he added, “do a number of things - Special Ed most importantly.”

Holland explained if Special Ed programs were available in the district, students would need to be placed out-of-district. “We don’t want to send them to other schools,” he stated for two reasons. “Most importantly, because they’re our children and we want them here. Another part of that is, if we can’t fund the services that

they need, we will send them to a school, which funds those services. Th ere’s a signifi cant cost to the town for doing that.”

Holland said the Finance Committee was unanimous in it’s support of the increase targeted for the Special Ed programs but suggested that the School Department take another look at the budget, to possibly eliminate the remaining 2 percent budget increase request. “Th ey had a few concerns and they challenged us to come back and see if we could fi nd more savings,” Holland relayed. “We think we can do that. I would like to go back to the Finance Committee and say ‘Yes, we did fi nd some places we could cut some more’.”

Committee member, Scott Harrison, who, along with Christine Boyle and Holland met with the Finance Committee’s sub-committee, said, “the Finance Committee was very understanding and very appropriately asked some very tough questions.” He said both the Finance Committee and School Department are charged with justifying to the public “where this money is being spent, [that] it’s being spent on the right programs and we’re, ultimately maximizing every dollar for the education of our kids.” He concluded, “We’re going to have to sharpen our pencil a little bit more. As is always the case [we have to] make some tough decisions. But, I think that ultimately, we’ll be in a good place.”


SCHOOL NEWS

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Woodland Project Impacts District’s Capital

Improvement PlansBy Michael McInnisStaff Reporter

In a report presented to the School Committee by Assistant Superintendent of Business and Human Resources, Kathleen Perry, on capital improvement plans for the district, it was noted that plans for improvement projects have been scaled back, due to the Woodland School Building Project. “We have minimized or kept our requests to an emergency-need basis for facilities, for the future,” she said.

Perry, however, said one project, the $25,000 replacement replacing the air-handler equipment at Stacy Elementary School, is a possibility for 2018, since Robert Quinn, Facilities Manager, has noted the system in weak but should not be an issue until then.

Chairman, Patrick Holland, asked for clarifi cation on the current condition of the air-handler HVAC unit, asking, “Does that require repair now, to keep functioning, or is it functioning now and will be at the end of it’s life-cycle in 2018?” Perry responded that, owing to the fact that there are two HVAC-certifi ed staff members on the building maintenance team, repairs are being made on an “as needed” basis, so the unit is currently in running order.

Another project that has been impacted by the Woodland Project is the replacement of seating in the high school auditorium. “Rob [Quinn] is looking to do, in 2013, what would have been a capital improvement,” Perry explained, noting that instead the seats are being replaced in phases.

Used seating, which has been purchased from as far away as New York, has provided replacements at a reduced cost to the district. Perry advised, however, that the stockpile of used seating is dwindling and once depleted, the district would have to purchase new replacements.

Another concern of the Facilities Manager, passed onto the Board by Perry, was the lack of storage space for School Department vehicles and equipment. “He’ll (Quinn) will be looking at that, possibly in 2013, to fund out of his budget, but that’s something he’s struggling to accomplish,” Perry said.

Committee member, Scott Harrison, wondered whether Quinn had sought out storage space from other town departments, to which Perry answered in the affi rmative, saying, “But we’re getting to the point where he’s maxing out, what he needs for space. It’s just diffi cult because there is no space in any of our buildings.”

Th e Board’s Vice Chairman, Robert Lanzetta, wondered whether storage space should be a consideration during the upcoming Woodland Building Project feasibility study “Is it possible to look at incorporating [storage space] into the plans?” he asked. Other Board members considered his suggestion to be a very good idea, including Perry, who pointed out that it would have less impact on the budget because the town will receive reimbursement monies from the state.

Special Education Update Presented To Board


Director of Special Education for the Milford schools, Margaret (Meg) Belsito, along with Assistant Director, Deb Friedman, provided the School Committee with an update on the Special Education Department, at the April 4 Board meeting.

Beginning with a report on Shining Star Early Childhood Center, Belsito alerted the Board that, in addition to grants already in-place, they have secured an additional grant of $4,200. “We’re going to buy assessment tools,” she told the Committee, “[To] look at physical development, language, academics, self-help and social/emotional. We had many assessments at the pre-school level, but this is a newer assessment.” She noted the new assessments can be conducted for students aged 0-36 months, younger than those assessed in the past.

Friedman then reported on the use of iPads within the district. “A lot of the teachers are so grateful to have it,” she said, “But now we’re at the point of ‘what’s next? ... how can we make sure this is successful and we’re putting everything into this?” To answer that question, the department has brought in a consultant to off er advice on “management of the iPads, [and] what is appropriate for the I-Pads, academically. Th ese consultants are going to the schools, looking at the students with the iPads; making suggestions to the teacher, to the speech therapist on what apps (applications) would be the best to use.”

At the elementary school level, the department is striving to make the programs more consistent said Belsito who noted each student will now have a spreadsheet documenting their progress from the time they enter Special Education until they move on to Stacy Middle School.

Friedman reported on the re-institution of the Life Roles program, housed at Middle School East, which is run by Alexis Correia. Similar to the high school’s Bistro program, Life Roles students prepare lunches, which are off ered to teachers and staff . “Th is year ... they started a cafe,” Friedman added.

On the subject of overall mental health, Belsito said the department trying to help students overcome anxieties and school phobias before they escalate into something more serious in middle school such as drug use or mental health problems by bringing in mental health professionals for presentations to counselors and the school psychologist.

Project Search, a program off ered in conjunction with Milford Hospital, off ers students opportunities for a yearlong experience working within the community. In it’s second year of existence, the program is already reaping benefi ts. “We’ve had almost 100 percent success rate of placing them in jobs aft er they’ve completed ... Project Search,” Friedman noted. Th e program is overseen by Belsito and Friedman, along with Vocational Teacher, Jennifer Walsh.

At the April 4 School Committee meeting, Special Education Director, Meg Belsito presented the Board with an informational packet that included a graph showing the breakdown of how Milford’s 715 Special

Education students have been placed. Th e four placement categories are: Inclusion - students spend

over 60 percent of their school day in regular education classrooms; Partial-Inclusion and Sub-Separate - students spend the majority of their day in separate

classrooms within the building and are off ered inclusion opportunities; and Out of District -students attend classes outside of the Milford School District.

Director of Special Education, Meg Belsito (L) and Assistant Director of Special Education, Deb

Friedman (R), presented the School Committee with a department update at their April 4 meeting.

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Sharing a Good Book and a Love of ReadingTen members of the Milford Community volunteered some of their time in late March to read to

youngsters at Memorial School. Th e Memorial Community Reader Day was the culmination of the Books and Beyond recreational reading program, which is an annual eight week read-a-thon that all the students participate in and are rewarded weekly for their reading eff orts. Th e goal of the Books and Beyond program is to encourage and nurture reading outside the classroom.

Community members were invited to share a story to help to inspire the students in hopes of developing a lasting love of reading. According to Memorial PTO member, Allison Morais, “Th ey did a great job!”

Th e Community Readers were: State Representative John Fernandes, D. Milford; Milford Police Chief Th omas O’Loughlin; Milford School Superintendent Bob Tremblay; retired Memorial School Principal Francis Anderson; Milford Target Store Lead Tom Rock; retired Music and Reading Teachers Michael Crowley and Judi Duft ; School Committee Member and Milford Health Agent Paul Mazzuchelli; Woodland Principal Craig Consigli and Director of Special Education Meg Belsito.

For more Memorial Community Reader photos by Sue Jansons, visit www.towncrier.us and click on photo galleries.

A serious-looking State Rep. John Fernandes, D. Milford, prepared to share a humorous book Mark Teagues’ Funny Farm with students at the Memorial School Community Reading Day. Sue

Jansons photo

(Right) Retired Music and Reading Teachers Michael Crowley and Judi Duft combined their musical and literary talents as Community Readers at Memorial School. Sue Jansons photo.

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Concerned Parent Addresses School Board


During the “Invitation To Speak” segment of a recent School Commit-tee meeting, a concerned parent pre-sented the Board with a letter of com-plaint in regard to, what she perceives as, the district’s inaction, regarding a health-related problem within the Milford public schools.

“I currently have two children in the district,” Marsha Montgomery informed the Committee. “I feel that there is a health concern in our build-ings that isn’t being addressed. And, the concern I want to talk about is head lice.” Montgomery noted that she has had children in the Milford school

system for the past 13 years, but it was only last year when she fi rst encountered the problem. “I discovered one of my children had lice,” she recalled. “Not because the school sent home a notice ... but be-cause a parent of a classmate ... told me that her child had it and I began to check my own child.”

Upon bringing the matter to the School Department’s attention, Montgomery claimed that she was told “that it wasn’t a productive use of nurses’ time to perform head checks to identify other children in the same classroom, who may also have nits or lice.”

Montgomery said she brought her concerns to School Superinten-dent Robert Tremblay and Board member, Paul Mazzuchelli, who also serves as the town’s Health Offi cer. Montgomery noted that the response from the district was to place a “Power Point” notice on the district’s web page. She also received assurance from the Super-intendent, through an email, dated August 23, 2012, that in the event of a classroom outbreak, the nurse would send notifi cations to all families, assuming there were three or more instances of head lice in the classroom.

While admitting that the notice was a step in the right direction, Montgomery chastised the district for remaining “irresponsible in the eff orts to prevent lice from spreading, in the fi rst place.”

Citing the fact that the Power Point notifi cation identifi ed the sharing of hats, scarves, headgear and combs as a “secondary way

of spreading lice,” Montgomery lamented that current practices in the Milford school district don‘t “make sense.” She noted in class-rooms without lockers, jackets and hats are hung on hooks for up to six hours, touching other items of clothing. At extended day pro-grams, “jackets and hats are still dumped into shared plastic totes,” she added. “Students still share headphones and computers.”

Montgomery admitted that while the outbreak of head lice is something that “you can never prevent from happening” she felt that the district is “doing nothing to prevent the spread of lice from one child to another.” Her disappointment was augmented by the fact that another of her children fell victim to head lice this year. “But now that my daughter is free of them, I have to send her back into the environment where she, most likely, got them in the fi rst place,” said Montgomery. “Knowing that the school is doing nothing to prevent her from getting them again.”

Th e Board was also informed that, upon her own initiative, Mont-gomery conducted a survey of local school districts and found “sur-rounding districts have decided that it’s the best policy to conduct head checks and notify parents (if an outbreak is discovered). Why is it ... that Milford does not?”

Montgomery, who is a director of a local childcare center and has been a member of several Milford school councils, reiterated her ac-cusations, saying, “I fi rmly believe that the policies and procedures within the district at this time are doing nothing to prevent the spread of lice ... and to continue to carry on with the status-quo is negligent on the district’s part.”

Chairman Patrick Holland responded that the Board would “ab-solutely” take the matter “under advisement,” noting that it was for-tunate that the Board included the town’s Health Offi cer. He also provided Montgomery with the total number of students affl icted with head lice in the district, in response to her complaint that the Director of Nursing couldn’t readily provide that information. Out of a student population of 4,200, there were 25 cases reported.

It was also pointed out that the nursing staff has numerous respon-sibilities in comparison to years ago and those responsibilities make it diffi cult to conduct regular classroom checks for head lice or nits.

Mazzuchelli, pointing to the number of cases of head lice versus the entire school population, said the percentage, less than 1 percent, is on par with what other communities see within their own school districts. “I don’t want people to think there’s any sort of epidemic,” he said.

Marsha Montgomery, a concerned parent, spoke

to the Board regarding the spread of head lice within

the Milford Schools and the district’s apparent lack of

response.

Members of the “Drip-Drop” team proudly display their ROV. Pictured are l-r: Catlyn Squadrito (7th grade); Bridget Mack (8th

grade); Brendon O’Shaughnessy (6th grade) and Caleb Johnson (8th grade).

Stacy Students Hope To Make a Splash at MATE

CompetitionBy Michael McInnis Staff Reporter

If it weren’t for Peter Mack, eight students from Stacy Elementary School might well fi nd themselves “dead in the water.” Instead, with Mack as their mentor, they’re set on a course to make a big splash in the 2013 MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) competition on Saturday April 20 at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne.

While attending Bristol Community College, Mack was a member of that school’s MATE team, which did well enough to compete in the MATE International Competition, held in Hawaii. Th e following year, another win in regional competition lead to a trip to Houston and the NASA training camp. Mack agreed to mentor a MATE team in his hometown, Milford.

Th e MATE competition, held annually, mixes scientifi c and business skills by challenging students to not only design working underwater remote controlled vehicles (ROV’s) but also requires that they prepare technical reports, poster displays and engineering presentations that are delivered to working professionals who serve as competition judges. In essence, the students are asked to think of themselves as entrepreneurs, designing, manufacturing and “selling” their product.

Along with Mack, co-advisor for the two Stacy teams is sixth-grade math teacher, Andrea Roda, who said, she and especially Mack, tell the students “what a completed circuit should look like and how to connect the wires. Th ey need to go and do it on their own. Th ey come up with their own designs. Th ey read the mission, the tasks they have to complete and they have to design a unit that will be able to complete those tasks.”

According to Roda, this is the third year that Stacy students have competed in MATE, saying, “From our original year, the students who could come back came back. Th ey’re really a big help. Th ey all help each other, share ideas and share knowledge [which is why] both ROV’s look a little similar. Even though there are two teams, they’re really one big team, broken into two groups.”

MATE missions generally refl ect real-life situations, but on a smaller scale. Last year’s mission was to recover World War II ships from the sea fl oor to prevent them from polluting the oceans. Other missions included collecting specimens of marine life in and around undersea volcanic activity. Th e BP oil spill was the subject of another mission, tasking the students to attempt to cap a miniature undersea oil rig.

Th e competition is divided into three classes, depending on the complexity of the ROV design: Scout ; Ranger and Explorer. Th is year’s mission is Ocean Observing Systems: Launching a New Era of Ocean Science & Discovery. Teams score points based upon mission completion, technical reports, engineering evaluations, and poster displays.

Mack, currently an engineering student at U-Mass, Lowell, teaches the students in various engineering principles while preparing them for competition. “Peter, especially in the early meetings, started each meeting with a lesson some branch of engineering or some branch of electrical engineering,” Roda recalled. “He took apart a computer for them and talked about computer engineering and how computers work. So, they’re really learning a lot.”


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Selectmen Transfer Licenses for Route 85 Function HallBy Kevin RuddenStaff Reporter/Columnist

Th e Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on March 18 to transfer the licenses held by the Krystal Room at 49 Cedar St. (Route 85) from Patricia Meehan of Millis to the Crystal Room, Inc. Th e new owners – Keith Usher of Mendon and Andrew Noyes of Glocester, Rhode Island – plan to re-open the former Knights of Columbus facility as a banquet hall.

Attorney Ernest Pettinari, representing Usher and Noyes, said the pair is investing more than $1 million to renovate the property and re-open it. Usher said renovations were halfway done, with an opening anticipated by the end of April.

Pettinari asked that the Live Entertainment license hours be tied to when functions are held. “Th e hours would be driven by the client,” Usher said. Town Administrator Louis Celozzi said that the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) allowed hours of operation from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Mondays through Th ursdays plus Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sundays, with an option to request a 10 a.m. opening on Sundays.

A woman in the audience questioned whether any “stripping” would be allowed, with Chairman Brian Murray responding that such activity is not allowed at that location under the town’s Zoning By-laws. Usher and Noyes also co-own the Rhode Island Dolls gentlemen’s club in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

Th e board voted unanimously to transfer the All-Alcoholic Restaurant license, Common Victualler license and Live Entertainment license, as well as allowing the Crystal Room, Inc. to pledge the liquor license as security to the Milford National Bank and Trust Company.

Selectmen also voted unanimously to renew the Seasonal Club licenses for the Maspenock Rod and Gun Club on McGill Lane and the Sons of Italy Dramatic and Sportsmen Club on Depot St., as well as reappointing Rochelle Th omson as Inspector of Animals.

Th e board approved a request by the Commission on Disability to place a handicapped parking space on Congress St. near Main St., opposite the Post Offi ce, to replace the space lost when Main St. was reconstructed by the state. Both Town Engineer Michael Santora and Police Chief Th omas O’Loughlin jointly recommended approving that request.

Selectmen also granted the Maspenock Rod and Gun Club a one-day, All-Alcoholic Beverages license for a March 23 private party running from 3 p.m. to midnight and named Dolores Alvarez DeVita as acting director of the Senior Center eff ective March 27

help raise the $400,000 “Phase I” fi ling fee with the Massachusetts Gaming Commis-sion, are still involved in the casino propos-al, according to Butera. “Everbody’s in the picture,” he said, adding, “We were brought on board to provide design, development and operational expertise.”

Butera said that the combination of the Milford site and Foxwoods’ 20 years of experience in the local market make this proposal the best of three advanced – the others are in Boston and Everett – to win the license for a resort casino in the greater Boston region. “Th is is a market we know very well,” he said.

Reacting to the rumor spreading through Milford’s political circles that Foxwoods got involved in hopes of “tanking” the Milford proposal so that a casino is chosen closer to Boston and thus protect the Connecticut location from closer competition, Butera responded, “Th at’s preposterous. We’re de-voting a lot of resources to it.” Since casinos are coming to Massachusetts, “We abso-lutely want to be there. Th is is a customer base that we know very well.”

Th e Foxwoods’ CEO said he is aware of concerns raised by those opposed to locat-ing a casino in Milford. In terms of access-ing the proposed site, Butera said there is a process to follow in requesting to build new off -ramps off I-495. “Th at is something we’re going to be working on,” he said. In terms of overall traffi c issues, “We want to minimize any traffi c our facility would have. Th at’s a work in progress,” Butera said.

“Regarding the Milford site, Butera com-mented, “I think that’s doable. We want to make sure we do a good job. We’re taking our time to make it right.”

It is not a fair comparison to liken the Milford CONCONTINproposal to the ex-isting Foxwoods casino in Connecticut, Butera said. “Th at’s the largest casino in North America,” he said. “You would never build another Foxwoods in today’s market.” A Milford casino, he explained, would be scaled to the needs and demands of the local market. “We’re not looking for size here,” he added.

“We’re really excited about it,” Butera commented, explaining that the proposed “fully integrated entertainment complex” would appeal to both Milford and its sur-rounding communities. “Hopefully, we can put something in Milford that we’re all very proud of and get users excited about.”

CasinoContinued from front page

Murray Repeats Call for Consultant to Study Town’s

Technology DirectionBy Kevin RuddenStaff Reporter/Columnist

Selectmen Chairman Brian Murray has repeated the call he made in early January to have the town hire a consultant to assess its tech-nology direction in terms of staffi ng and equipment. Murray’s latest comment came on March 18, aft er reviewing a “Technology As-sessment and Five-Year Technology Plan” submitted by Chief Tech-nology Offi cer Leonard Beaudry that calls for spending $1,043,300 over the next fi ve fi scal years.

Murray noted that when he compared Beaudry’s assessment with where the town and schools stand in terms of technology needs with the assessment given by Rob Bonnell – Beaudry’s predecessor – he came away with many questions. At his board’s January 7 meeting, Murray had commented, “What troubles me is that I don’t know if we’re doing the best job that we can do.”

Beaudry’s fi ve-page report, dated March 13, consists of three pages of narrative detailing completed projects, projects in progress and short-term tasks to be completed, followed by a brief look at person-nel, hardware, soft ware, network infrastructure and Internet speed.

“If the recommendations for FY2014 are adopted, it is my belief that this will represent a signifi cant upgrade to our current technol-ogy system and will represent a decisive step towards an upgrade of our current system, resulting in a more centralized system which will benefi t both the Milford School Department and the Town of Milford municipal departments,” Beaudry wrote. “Our system will be upgraded by virtue of the new equipment and will be operating at much greater speeds than we currently are and with signifi cant memory capacity. In addition, our systems will be better protected against viruses.”

Th e two-page “Technology Purchase Plan” calls for spending the following amounts:

• Fiscal Year 2014 – School: $217,700, Town: $32,300• Fiscal Year 2015 – School: $130,200, Town: $25,900• Fiscal Year 2016 – School: $265,700, Town: $15,300• Fiscal Year 2017 – School: $130,700, Town: $13,900• Five-Year Total – School: $927,000, Town: $116,300Beaudry met with the Finance Committee last month to discuss

Chairman Marc Schaen’s request to equip his board’s members with tablet computers. “I think it’s time we start moving the technology that way and getting rid of all this extraneous paper,” Schaen said. “I think it’s long overdue for the Finance Committee to have something like this that you can reference while you’re here and when you’re at home to have access to all the data without lugging around books of fi nancial work,” Beaudry said.

He said he looked at thin notebook computers, iPad tablets, Google tablets, Microsoft Surface tablets and Dell Latitude tablets before recommending the 10-inch Dell tablets because they can run the Microsoft Windows 8 operating system and users can change their batteries. With a keyboard added, they each would cost about $450, Beaudry said. “You guys are the fi nance group. I’m just giving you technology help,” he said.

Committee members said they would need a total of 17 tablets for the committee and their fi nancial analyst – which would make the total cost about $7,650.

“I’m all for this because I hate carrying all the paper,” said Finance Committee member Alberto Correia. But, he asked his fellow com-mittee members to refrain from making a motion to buy them at his board’s March 15 meeting, saying members should fi rst see specifi ca-tions for the tablets.

Schaen also reminded his members that they were supporting a request to add two technicians under Beaudry in next year’s budget, with the School Department paying 60 percent of their cost and the town the remaining 40 percent. “It’s time in Lou’s opinion and mine that it grows,” the chairman said, referring to then-Town Adminis-trator Louis Celozzi.

Celozzi Bids Farewell After 39 YearsBy Kevin RuddenStaff Reporter/Columnist

He wanted no retirement party, but two weeks before he walked out of his Town Hall offi ce for the last time and with his family and friends in attendance, former Town Administrator Louis Celozzi was recognized for his 39 years of service to the town at the Board of Selectmen’s March 18 meeting.

Chairman Brian Murray joked that the crowd of about 200 people gathered to hear an anti-casino presentation later in the meeting had showed up to honor Celozzi. “You should be honored that so many people are here to ask you to stay on a little bit longer,” he quipped. Th e chairman noted that the occasion was causing “a large degree of sadness

among all of us.”Presenting Celozzi with a gift from the board – a crystal plaque

honoring his years of service – Murray called him “conscientious,” “effi cient” and “detailed.” “He’s going to be missed,” the chairman said.

State Representative John Fernandes, D. Milford, followed, citing his lifelong friendship with Celozzi and joking that he took his son’s framed Eagle Scout certifi cate apart to fi nd a frame for the House of Representatives’ citation he presented to Celozzi. Noting his service as the school system’s transportation coordinator, fi rst director of the Milford School Community Use program and then Town Administrator, Fernandes simply said, “Th anks for all.”

Selectman Dino DeBartolomeis, another long-time friend, thanked Celozzi later in the meeting for preparing a fi nal status report of all pending projects. “Th anks for the report, Louis, your last report. He’s been a tremendous asset to the community. You’ve made Milford a better place,” he commented.

“I do appreciate the way in you conducted town business,” Selectman William Buckley said, adding he appreciated the many hours he spent working with Celozzi during his tenure.

Celozzi at fi rst said nothing, but then stated: “It has been my pleasure and my privilege to work for the Town of Milford for 39 years.”

Sitting in his Town Hall offi ce a few days before his exit, Celozzi refl ected back on his 22-plus years with the Milford School Community Use Program and recalled how all the sports and adult education programs created during his tenure were still fl ourishing. He told the Town Crier last fall that he also was proud he had helped to keep town buildings in good repair.

His future plans? “I’m going to relax, wind down,” Celozzi said.

Milford Town Administrator Louis Celozzi

retired recently aft er serving

17 years in his position.


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Casino Foes Make Their CaseBy Kevin RuddenStaff Reporter/Columnist

Residents who do not want a resort casino in Milford made their case to the Board of Selectmen on March 18, in a lower Town Hall meeting room crammed beyond capacity. Chairman Brian Murray refused requests from the roughly 200 people in attendance to move the meeting to Upper Town Hall, stating, “Th is is the room where the selectmen meet” and noting it was the room set up for Milford TV to broadcast the meeting on local cable TV access channels. “Your concern is noted,” Murray said.

Th e chairman noted he had attended a meeting of the group known as Casino-Free Milford and invited the organization to attend a board meeting and present its concerns. “We’re very happy to hear what information you’d like to present,” Murray said.

Casino-Free Milford co-chairs John Seaver and Steve Trettel presented a summary of the group’s research to the board, listing the following concerns: Neighborhood, Jobs, Housing, School, Water, Sewer, Police and Crime, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Highway Department, Capital Expenditures, Municipal Planning, Environmental, Economic Eff ect on Town, Property Values, Social Costs, and Traffi c and Interchange. (Editor’s Note: All documents discussed at the meeting are available at http://casinofreemilford.com/papers/.)

“Casino-Free Milford is not opposed to gambling in Milford and we’re not anti-casino proponents,” Trettel said. But, based on research, “We’re concluded that Milford is not an appropriate location for a destination casino complex,” he continued. He reminded the board that if a casino doesn’t come to Milford, “Th ere will be three casinos in the state within easy reach of Milford residents.”

Th e group’s goal was to show the selectmen “how this proposed development would hurt our community.” Trettel said at one point, “We suggest that you don’t drink the Kool-Aid just yet.”

At the conclusion of their presentation, Murray asked if Casino-Free Milford could support all of its points with data. Both presenters said they could. Th ey also answered Selectman William Buckley’s question by stating that they could provide the board with a list of Milford residents active in the group. Buckley said he wanted to make sure that those protesting against the casino were, in fact, residents of Milford.

Locating a casino in Milford “will substantially change the rural nature of our town,” Trettel said. “Why would we want to give up the suburban, semi-rural nature of our town for a big city environment? We’re risking, in no uncertain terms, changing that environment.” Trettel repeated, “It will forever change the character of our community.”

To a loud round of applause, Trettel stated, “You as a Board of Selectmen could choose to shut this down right now by refusing to continue discussions.” Continuing, he said, “We simply ask tonight that you consider our suggestion. If not, we off er our help to the board.”

“All of the issues that you talked about are very real issues that obviously need to be examined very thoroughly,” Murray said. “Th ere is a lot of good work that your committee has done, and that’s why I invited you here, so we could have this forum, we could get the discussion started and get this community informed if and when a proposal comes forward.”

Selectman Dino DeBartolomeis called the group’s presentation “very detailed,” and said his board has a responsibility to listen to all arguments, for or against a casino, and get that information to the residents of Milford. “All the people of Milford will be able to vote if this goes forward,” he said. “It will be an open process.” DeBartolomeis stated: “We all feel that Milford is a special place and I don’t think that we’re going to let anything happen to Milford that would not be in the best interests of everyone.”

Buckley noted, “Your presentation was very well done and we appreciate the time it took. Th ank you for the approach that you took.” He called it “adult dialogue in a respectful manner,” adding, “It’s critically important that people speak out in these ways.”

Buckley added, “With respect to our quality of life, a casino is not something I support in Milford. Th e only reason that I see communities reach out to casinos is money. So, the question becomes, ‘To what extent is our quality of life for sale?’”

Murray said his board is trying to garner as much information about casinos as possible “so that we are making a responsible decision one way or another. Th is is the kind of information that I want and the members of this board want going forward.” When asked by Trettel if selectmen were interested in forming a citizens’ advisory committee to help the board, Murray replied, “absolutely.”

Casino-Free Milford co-chairs John Seaver (left ) and Steve Trettel present their concerns

about locating a resort casino complex in Milford to the Board of Selectmen. Photo

courtesy of Milford TV.

Milford is First Community in State to Have “Smart911”


“In responding to emergencies, seconds and minutes count,” Police Chief Th omas O’Loughlin said as he and other town offi cials unveiled the new “Smart911” service available for free to Milford residents and businesses. On March 26, Milford became the fi rst community in Massachusetts to use Smart911, a free service which provides Public Safety dispatchers with user-supplied information – such as allergies or medical conditions, location of bedrooms, or photos of children – when an emergency call is made.

“Th is type of information is invaluable as it can help us save seconds or minutes in an emergency,” explained Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director John Touhey. “Vital details contained in your “Safety Profi le” can help save your life.” And, information in the custom profi les – including photos – can be transmitted directly to the portable data terminals in police cars, O’Loughlin added.

Selectmen Chairman Brian Murray said the new service “improves and enhances the E911 service that’s off ered throughout the town” so that “responders have the best information in the least amount of time.” With 70 percent of emergency calls now coming from mobile phones, O’Loughlin said, Smart911is able to provide comprehensive background information quickly to those who need it.

O’Loughlin said the cost of the Smart911 service – $10,000 per-year over a fi ve-year contract, plus a $5,000 installation cost – is being funded through grants and money obtained through forfeiture of funds from criminal activities. Th e soft ware was developed and is managed by Rave Mobile Safety of Framingham.

A Smart911 profi le as it appears on a Public Safety dispatcher’s computer monitor.

How Smart911 WorksPolice Chief Th omas O’Loughlin, Fire Chief John Touhey and offi cials from Rave

Mobile Safety explained how Smart911 works:• Go to www.smart911.com and click on the “Create Safety Profi le” button. You

will receive an email confi rming that you have registered.• Smart911 will contact you once every six months so remind you to confi rm,

update or delete the information in your profi le. “Your Smart911 profi le is controlled by you,” O’Loughlin said.

• Your information remains on Rave Mobile Safety’s secure servers.• Smart911 will deliver your information to any Smart911 supported 9-1-1 center

such as Milford’s immediately when you make an emergency call, whether from a “land line,” mobile phone or Voice over the Internet Phone (VoIP). (Th e information also will be conveyed to Public Safety dispatchers if you are traveling in any of the 350 municipalities in 29 states throughout the country that support Smart911.)

“Smoking Bars” Banned in MilfordBy Kevin RuddenStaff Reporter/Columnist

A new Board of Health regulation that took eff ect this week bans “smoking bars” in town – eff ectively preventing anyone from opening a cigar bar or hookah bar in Milford. Th e regulation was adopted by the board unanimously on March 18 and took eff ect on April 8.

“We don’t have any in town now,” explained Health Offi cer Paul Mazzuchelli, who said someone inquiring about opening a hookah bar spurred him to look at regulations about them. A “hookah” is a water pipe used to smoke fl avored tobacco, with the same mouthpiece passed from person to person, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Th e board’s action came as part of its ongoing focus to curb tobacco use, Mazzuchelli explained. In 2010, for example, the board voted to ban smoking in all private clubs and organizations. While regulations exist to promote smoke-free workplaces and to ban smoking in bars and restaurants, there was no mention in them about smoking bars, he said. “We just wanted to close that gap,” he said.

Hands-On Learning about Government State Sen. Richard T. Moore,

D-Uxbridge, stands with students from towns across the Worcester and Norfolk district, who participated in

the April 5 Student Government Day. Moore sponsored an orientation to

prepare students to fully engage in the program. Pictured, in the back row are:

Harry Valentgas of Sutton Memorial High School; Miranda Watkins of Southbridge Middle High School;

Adam Intinarelli of Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High

School; Richard Rice of Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School; Colin Brennan of Milford High School; John Plewa of Bartlett Jr./Sr. High School; and Sean Powers of Bartlett Jr./Sr. High School. In the front row are: Aaron Schaupp of Douglas High School; Jennifer Lonergan, a homeschooled student of Blackstone; Erin Kileen of Sutton Memorial High School; Sen. Moore; Ryan Donovan of Oxford High School; Lisa Iudiciani of Oxford

High School; Kasey Mitchell of Southbridge Middle High School; and Alexandria DePalo of Blackstone-Millville Regional High School. Contributed photo


SPORTS

Sports Flash by Chris Villani, Town Crier Columnist

of the best meetings. It’s always such a pleasure whenever you come in to see us and it’s our honor to have you here this evening,” said School Committee Chairman Patrick Holland.

Walsh noted that the competitions, held in Worcester, made for a “busy weekend” for the Olympians and applauded them for their hard work in preparation for the games saying, “Th ey work really hard - they train from October to March.”

Th e athletes were recognized individually and invited to approach members of the School Committee for congratulatory handshakes and comments. Especially endearing was Olympian, Claire Principe, whose eff ervescent personality was embodied in a series of “Hi’s”, which she aff orded each person she encountered, including members of the Committee. One Board member commented that “she’s got a future in politics” as she greeted each committee member.

At the conclusion of the recognition ceremonies, the Olympians re-ceived a rousing round of applause. Prior to their departure, Holland commented, “You make us all so proud, so thank you for coming in to see us tonight.”

Th e 2012 Milford Special Olympic Basketball Teams and their coaches are:

Milford Juniors - Coaches: Nicole Tusino and Kara DiGregorio.Sridatta Bapatla, Abigail King, Dennis Lambert, Sean Lambert,

Zachary Landry, Patrick LeBlanc, Mark Mancuso, Howard Phipps, Claire Principe, Benjamin Rizoli and Katherine Williams.

Milford Dribbers - Coaches: Sandi Indelicato and March Scherer.Katie Annis, Sam Colmer, Bethany Dawes, Amanda Indelicato, John

Michael Kearns, Donald Mercier, Patrick Scherer and Daniel Volfson.Milford Gamers - Coaches: David Haddad and Gina Richards.Samantha Ahrens, Ashley Aldrich, Brett Crosby, Connor Edwards,

Nathan Harpin, Blessed Hinton, Jeff rey McCann, Mitchell Robichaud, Timothy Santos, Rachel Schneider and Layla Sheridan.

Milford Hoopsters - Coach: Chris Forgit.Beau Barrows, Michael Chau, Matt Grimes, Jared Hoover, Nicho-

las Keisling, Terry Matsikis, Andrew McCarthy, Joe Morrill, Greg Schwartz, William Travis and Earl Wilson.

Milford Masters - Coaches: Joseph Zenus and John Consoletti.Justin Caswell, Matt Cavanaugh, Jamie Consoletti, John Heron,

Amy Hilton, Jessica Jacobsen, Kevin Janosko, Keenan Laverty, Patrick McKeown, Matthew McNellage, Stephen Modica, Joe Vasconcelos and Marc Zenus.

Special OlympicsContinued from front page

A Special Time for Special KidsSwinging, jumping and playing were enjoyed

by dozens of youngsters and their families at the Milford Public Schools Autism Awareness Day

held at SenseAbility Gym in Hopedale. Held on April

2, the event is part of the celebration of National

Autism Awareness Month, which is designed to

educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. Here enjoying the fun

during local celebration were Helen and Leticia

Marques. Harry Platcow photo

To read about Blackstone Valley Tech

sports stories, visit www.towncrier.us.

Milford Soft ball Starts Hot With High Expectations

Aft er an undefeated run to the state championship last season, many are asking what the Milford High soft ball team has for an encore performance. Th e Scarlet Hawks return a number of starters from last season, including fi ve seniors and two-time state player of the year, Shannon Smith. So far, MHS has lived up to the high bar it has set for itself with a 3-0 start, including wins over Taunton, King Phillip (KP), and Mansfi eld.

“I am very pleased with our start,” said Brian Macchi, who is in his eighth year as the team’s head coach. “In all my years here, I have always been pleased with the attitude and eff ort, and this is no diff erent. Coming off the year we had last year, I expected them to be excited.”

Milford comes in this season as the team to beat for every opponent on the schedule, a challenge Macchi says his squad has readily accepted. “We are the most important game of the season for most of the teams we play,” he said. “We need to match their intensity and stay ready, and we have done a great job so far.”

Smith is back in the circle for the Scarlet Hawks and has been nothing short of dominant through the fi rst three games of the season. She struck out 45 of the fi rst 69 batters she faced, allowing just one run on three hits. Smith tossed a no-hitter against King Phillip in a 3-0 MHS victory, her fi rst no-no of the season, but the 17th of her career.

“Shannon has always been a great pitcher, but the thing that has impressed me the most has been her vocal leadership on the fi eld,” said Macchi. “She is very helpful with making sure people are in the right spot and are ready to make plays, it’s like having another coach on the fi eld.”

Milford has also been driven by a deep and balanced off ense over the past three seasons, each of this has ended in a league and district title. 2013 is no diff erent through the fi rst few contests. Senior centerfi elder Rachel Levine went 6-for-9 to start the year, including a pair of doubles and two RBIs. Junior Sam Bonvino started 7-for-12 with four extra base hits, and senior cleanup hitter Caroline Fairbanks had fi ve hits through the fi st three games, including the fi rst home run of the season. In the KP win, all three of Milford’s runs came via two-out RBIs.

“I am very happy with the fi rst week,” said Macchi. “Th ose three games were the toughest I have seen to begin a season in terms of the caliber of teams. To get the wins over Taunton, King Phillip, and Mansfi eld, was a nice introduction to the league and a sign that our girls came ready to go.”

Even aft er a fast start and with all of the expectations carried over from last season, Macchi has stressed that this team will have its own identity, one that will have to be earned.

“Nothing is just supposed to happen, you need to work for everything,” he said. “Our mindset has always been the same, worry about that day and what we can do to improve. We are not thinking about repeating on a day-to-day basis, but I think it’s in the back of everyone’s mind if you accomplish it and come back with so many returning players.”

Macchi sat down with his team aft er it was selected, and talked about individual and team goals and making some new waves in 2013. “Th is is not 2012 anymore,” he said. “We have a whole new team, and these girls have a chance to make their own memories and mark on MHS soft ball.”

A Scholar and an Athlete

Dave Pinto, a graduate of Milford High School, has been selected the 14th Scholar All-American in the history of the Norwich University

Wrestling Program. Th is selection was based on his 70 percent winning percentage, a 4th place at the Northeast Regionals, and a 3.4 GPA. Pinto is currently a Junior, majoring in criminal justice

and a Captain of the Wrestling team. Here he is shown with his two coaches, Coach Alex Whitney on the left and Coach Connor Keating

at the Northeast Regionals. Contributed photo

MHS Baseball Looks to Reload

By Chris VillaniSports Reporter/Columnist

When fi rst year head coach Paul Pellegrini took over the Milford baseball program, he inherited a team with a number of seniors, but not an abundance of varsity playing experience. Only one starter returns from a 2012 squad that went 17-4. Still, the rookie coach has not lowered his expectations.

“I think we can be successful if we follow the game plan,” said Pellegrini. “We have a lot of seniors on this team and many of them have played other varsity sports and excelled. My philosophy is to make it simple, don’t run a ton of plays, let’s run a few, but do them right.”

Milford jumped out to a 2-1 start this season aft er beating Mansfi eld on Monday, 5-4. Pellegrini says his team needs to continue to improve at the plate, but is pleased with the early returns from his starting pitching. He plans to lean on Eric Fernandes and Michael Tracy as starters. Fernandes, a left hander, was on the mound for the Scarlet Hawks’ season opening 10-2 loss to Taunton, as well as the win over Mansfi eld earlier this week.

“We had a rough opening game,” said Pellegrini. “We made a lot of mistakes behind [Fernandes], but it seems like we have corrected them already. Errors and mental mistakes are going to happen. When they do, we just need to correct them and move on.”

Pellegrini said he was happy with Fernandes’ demeanor on the mound. “He is a craft y left y who spots the ball well and he is very calm, he won’t show a ton of emotion and is the type of kid who will bounce back,” he said. “He has a good curve ball and when he stays ahead in the count, he’s very eff ective.”

Fernandes lived up to his coach’s billing, bouncing back for an 11-strikout performance in Milford’s win over Mansfi eld.

Senior right-hander Mike Tracy will also see a lot of time on the mound for the Hawks this season. He earned the win in MHS’s second game of the year, a 4-2 victory over King Phillip, and also took the victory against Mansfi eld aft er entering in the 7th inning and pitching Milford out of a jam in a tie game. Against KP, he tossed a complete game gem with 14 strikeouts and only one walk. “Mike pounded the strike zone in that game,” said Pellegrini. “He threw fi rst-pitch strikes to 21 of 27 batters, that’s amazing for any level.”

Milford used a balanced off ensive attack against King Phillip, with each player in the lineup getting at least one hit. Catcher Rob Benjamin, the lone returning starter on the team, plated two runs with a triple. Benjamin also drove in the game winning run against Mansfi eld. Pellegrini will look to Jon O’Neil as a spark at the top of the Hawks’ lineup. He reached base in six of his fi rst eight plate appearances this year, including three hits against Taunton.

“Jon saw some quality time last year and we will be counting on him off ensively this season,” said Pellegrini. “He is an aggressive, heads up baseball player.”

Chris Trafecante starts the year in the cleanup spot in the order for Milford, and will be another key cog in the lineup. Pellegrini says his team has the talent and experience to compete this season, and he’s adjusting to his fi rst year at the helm aft er nine years as an assistant coach. “You realize you have to make the decisions instead of helping out with the decisions,” he said. “It’s more responsibility, but it’s something I am excited to take on.”


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Milford Stingrays Win B Championship

Congratulations to the Champion Milford Stingrays. Pictured, left to right, are team

members Kimberly Stochaj, Madelyn Stochaj, Coach Susan Antonellis, Coach Deb Wood,

and Coach John Madigan. Contributed photo

Submitted by Wayne StochajPresident of the Milford Stingrays

On March 22 the Milford Stingray Swim Team celebrated a winning season with their annual end of the Year Banquet. Earlier in the month on March 2, the Stingrays hosted the B championship of the Winter Suburban Swim League (WSSL) at Milford High School. Over 700 swimmers from Brookline, Dedham, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Westborough and Milford participated.

Th e Milford Stingrays took fi rst place in the girl’s and boy’s 13-14 age groups. In addition with a score of 1423.5 points the Stingrays placed fi rst in the WSSL B Championships. Besides this championship, the Stingrays sent over 40 swimmers to the A Championship at Boston University on March 10, where they placed 7th overall in a fi eld of 14 teams.

Th e Stingrays are a recreational swim team off ered through Th e Milford Community School Use Programs. Th e team welcomes swimmers from 6-18 years of age. Th e Stingray’s winter season runs from November through March. In addition, the Stingray’s swim in a summer league that runs from June to mid July.

Th e team would like to thank the support of the many volunteers that made hosting the championships possible including the Friends of the Milford Stingrays, Coaches, Milford Lowes, Regal Cinema, Ray and Dick’s Bakery, Bronx Bagels and Sal’s Pizza.

Seniority Abound for MHS Boys LAX


Th e Milford High School boys lacrosse team has a motto that head coach Dave Dague has used in each of his three seasons at the helm, “expect nothing, earn everything.” With 18 seniors on a 29 man roster, nine returning seniors in the starting lineup from a team that went to the district tournament last year, and 85 percent of the scoring back from 2012, it’s hard not to have high expectations for this year’s team. But they have had to earn each of their fi rst three wins, including a pair of come-from-behind, overtime victories.

“We are a fi ve year varsity program coming into the Hockomock League where there is a lot of stability,” said Dague. “Many of these programs have been around for 15 years or more, so there are no gimmies in this league. It’s great for a confi dence boost when you can win in overtime early in the year.”

Milford beat King Phillip in OT 17-16 and earned an 11-10 overtime win over Mansfi eld on Monday. In each game, the Scarlet Hawks were down by three goals in the fourth quarter and scored the game-tying goal in the fi nal minute.

Th e Hawks are 3-0 this year, and will once again be lead on the attack by Eric Overdahl and Jonathan Dague. Th e senior captains were among the leading scorers in Central Mass last season. “Eric and Jonathan ended last season strong and they have picked up right where they left off ,” said Dague. “We expect them to put up a lot of the same numbers.”

Matt McIntire is back in goal for Milford, his third year as a starter. “He is a great goaltender who works hard during the year and in the off -season,” said Dague of McIntire, who is slated to continue his lacrosse career at Southern New Hampshire University. “Our defense can play with more confi dence when you have a goalie like that because they know they can be more aggressive.”

Milford was able to get a great deal of scoring from its midfi eld last season, but Dague says the middies need to step up even more with a deeper and more experienced Hockomock League schedule. Milford boasts speed in its midfi eld, including seniors Michael Titlebaum, Kyle Kirby, and Justin Speroni. Titlebaum and Kirby will help out in the scoring department, while Speroni is a face-off specialist who won several key draws late in the Scarlet Hawks’ overtime wins. “Justin is a three sport athlete who takes it as a challenge to win every face-off ,” said Dague. “He has been winning his share, he works hard on his craft .”

In addition to the experience having so many seniors brings to this year’s team, Milford also features a squad that has great chemistry on the fi eld, the product of many years playing together.

“We started out youth program in 2006, so a lot of these guys having been playing together since the fourth grade,” said Dague. “Th e youth program is blossoming now and we are starting to see the fruits of it. Th ese guys like each other, and the maturity level shows up on the fi eld and you can see the results. So far, so good.”

MHS Girls LAX Rebuilding


Th e Milford High girls lacrosse team is trying to build with a young team this season aft er losing 10 seniors, nine of them starters, to graduation last spring. Th e 2012 Scarlet Hawks captured the Mid-Wach title in their fi nal season in the league and earned the sixth seed in the Central District tournament.

Among the seniors graduated in 2012 were four all-stars, including Mikayla Pasciuto, who was named the Mid-Wach “B” league MVP. Midfi elders Samantha Salamone and Reba Barrows, and attacker Blair Smith were all also league and district all-stars. Only two starters return for MHS in 2013, but the Hawks do boast some experience in goal with junior Samantha Faucher and sophomore Samantha Bobby. “We are planning to run two diff erent goalies, both of them saw time on varsity last year and they are both very talented,” said head coach Jason Gelmini.

Th e only other returning starter for the Hawks is junior attacker Gabrielle Vasile. Milford only one senior, team captain Ali Furlo. “Ali is a good defender and a great captain,” said Gelmini. “As our only senior, she is someone we are looking to on the fi eld for leadership.”

Milford also has a strong group of juniors and sophomores who saw some varsity minutes last season and will look to build on it this year. Junior attacker Megan DePaolo will be counted on to score this season. Fellow junior Ivy Luke was with the varsity squad through all of 2012 and is stepping into a larger role, as is sophomore Olivia Overdahl, who played with the varsity during her freshman season.

“Th is will be a year for developing our young talent,” said Gelmini. “We have a lot of good young players but it’s a matter of getting that experience and getting used to not being a role player, but being someone the team is counting on to play a major role.”

Milford lost its fi rst four games this season, but the slow start has not deterred the squad from its goal of continuing to improve. Gelmini says defense is an area where the Scarlet Hawks need to be stronger. “A lot of the girls have not had a lot of playing time and now they are being asked to contribute signifi cant minutes, it doesn’t come overnight,” said Gelmini. “It’s a matter of playing together and getting used to each other, playing more team defense.”

Gelmini is confi dent the improvement will show as the season progresses. Milford is also playing in a new league, and opened its Davenport division schedule earlier this week. “We have had some tough losses, but we are a super young team,” said Gelmini. “Th ere are some positives to take away from each game and I see us getting better. We are looking to improve each time out.”


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Milford’s Troop 4 Holds Eagle Court of Honor for James Symmes and Benjamin Sgammato

Eagle Scout Ben Sgammato with his parents, Shelley and Th omas Sgammato.

Contributed photo

Eagle Scout James Symmes and his mother, Alice Symmes. Contributed photo.

On March 21, Boy Scout Troop 4 of Mil-ford held an Eagle Scout Court of Honor at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Milford to pres-ent the Eagle Scout award to James Symmes, 16, of Hopedale, and Benjamin Sgammato, 18, of Milford. Th e dinner and awards cer-emony was attended by over 200 scouts, fam-ily members, community leaders and friends. Rev. Ray Goodwin, pastor of St. Mary’s of the Assumption, opened the evening with the invocation followed by Senior Patrol Leader Ulisses Ramirez who presided over the eve-ning’s agenda.

Keynote speakers included State Senator Richard Moore, D. Uxbridge, and State Rep-resentative John Fernandes, D. Milford, who presented citations from the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives recog-nizing the work of Symmes and Sgammato to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

Troop 4 Committee Member Philip Bedard introduced James to the audience, recalling highlights and fond memories of James’ Boy Scout career. James started Scouting with Troop 4 in 2009, and earned his required merit badges faster than any other scout in the Troop’s history. His scouting highlights include participation and leadership on two high-adventure trips, including a 50-mile backpacking trip along Colorado’s continen-tal divide, and a 50-mile wilderness canoe trip in northern Maine.

James is fi nishing his sophomore year at Blackstone Regional Vocational Technical High School, where he is an honor student

and member of the school’s math and robot-ics team. His Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project involved the construction of garden boxes for the elderly residents of the Hoped-ale Housing Authority complex on Hopedale St. James plans to remain an active Troop 4 member and engage in challenging new ac-tivities during his remaining high school years.

Former Troop 4 Scoutmaster (and Eagle Scout) David Kirchner introduced Ben to the audience. He reviewed Ben’s long Scout-ing career which started as a six-year old Cub Scout with Milford’s Pack 4. He made special note of the rewarding time they shared back-packing along the Appalachian Trail. Ben’s scouting activities included membership in the Order of the Arrow honor society, and participation on many troop camping, boat-ing and high adventure trips. In 2010-11, he held the Troop’s highest leadership position; Senior Patrol Leader.

Outside of Scouting, Ben is completing his senior year at Holy Name High School in Worcester. He was a member of the Track and Cross Country teams and a member of the school chorus. Ben also works part time at Milford’s Gene’s Variety and is a member of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD). For his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Proj-ect, he constructed a 105-foot long walkway paved with bricks honoring the memory of deceased parishioners, family members and friends. He plans to enroll this fall at the Col-lege of Mount St. Vincent in New York City to

study Communications.James was presented his Eagle Scout badge

by his mother, Alice Symmes. Ben was pre-sented his Eagle Scout badge by his parents, Shelley and Th omas Sgammato. Following the presentation, the Eagle Scout Challenge was issued by Eagle Scout Christian Slutz, with assistance from new scouts Brandon Kee and Joseph Th omas. In their Eagle Scout Re-sponses, both James and Ben recognized their family, friends, fellow scouts and troop leaders for their friendship and assistance in reaching the Eagle Scout rank. Both acknowledged the leadership skills they acquired through their Eagle Scout Leadership Service Projects, and advised the younger scouts in the audience to enthusiastically seek challenges in the scout-ing program and in their school and commu-nity activities.

James and Ben are the 27th and 28th scouts, respectively, to reach the Eagle rank in the Troop’s 15-year history.

In addition to the Eagle Scout ceremony, many other scouts were presented awards and merit badges by the troop leadership, in-cluding the Star Scout badge to Evan Kehoe, the Second Class badge to Kevin Spiegelman, the Tenderfoot badge to Taber Grose, and the Scout Badge to Brandon Kee. Eagle Scout Matthew Bedard and Life Scout Joshua Stiles were also recognized for completing the Boy Scouts of Americas challenging Lifeguard Certifi cation Program.

Troop Four is sponsored by Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Milford.

Free “Rx for Healthy Choices” Conference Community Partners for Health is sponsoring a half-day conference on “Rx for

Healthy Choices” from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 26, at the Doubletree Hotel in Milford. Registration is at 8:15 a.m. Th e conference is free, but registration is required by calling 508-422-2627 or emailing [email protected].

Th e conference will feature the following speakers: Christina Economos, associate director of the John Hancock Research Center on Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Prevention and associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at the School of Medicine at Tuft s University, who was featured in HBO’s documentary, Th e Weight of the Nation; Craig Andrade, director of the Offi ce of Community Health in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health; Lauren Marciszyn, director of Youth and Community Wellness, Hockomock Area YMCA; Hillary Burcherding, communications manager for Walk Boston; and, Martha Pellegrino, nutrition educator/fi tness instructor , Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School.

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Youth Center Developing a 5-Year Business Plan


Th e Milford Youth Center has received a grant from the United Way of Tri-County in Framingham to hire a consultant to develop a fi ve-year business plan for the center.

Finance Committee member David Morganelli told his fellow board members last month that the grant is paying for a consultant to help the center write a detailed plan showing what programs the center plans to have and how it will pay for them. “Th e United Way wants to know that they have a very sustainable operation there,” he said.

Once the business plan is accepted, the United Way will release $30,000 in funding it had promised to the Youth Center during its period of fi nancial uncertainty a few years ago, Finance Committee Chairman Marc Schaen said. As of March 14, the Youth Center’s budget balance was $62,000, he said, noting

“Th ey’re doing OK.”Th e Youth Center’s monthly electronic

newsletter dated April 1 stated: “Th anks to the United Way of Tri-County, the Center has been able to hire a strategic planner to help the Center grow and improve. A sub-committee has already been made and we are excited about the process going forward! Th is is a huge opportunity to make improvements to the Center and off er more to the youth and community of Milford!”

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Bright Insurance Educates Teens on Distracted Driving DangersTh e Bright Insurance Agency was proud to bring the

state-of-the-art Distractology 101 tour to Hopedale during the week of April 8-12. Distractology 101 is an interactive program developed by the Arbella Insurance Foundation to teach new drivers the dangers of distracted driving. Th e campaign featured a 36-foot-long, neon-yellow mobile classroom outfi tted with high-tech driving simulators designed to give new drivers the chance to experience the perils of distracted driving, including texting while driving.

More than 3,000 people are killed each year in crashes involving a distracted driver and an estimated additional 416,000 are injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. According to the National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration, sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football fi eld at 55 mph, blind.

To date, nearly 4,000 new drivers, meaning those that

have been licensed less than three years or have a learner’s permit have completed the Distractology 101 training. In 2012, 97 percent of students surveyed said the experience was eff ective or extremely eff ective and 82 percent said they would recommend the experience to a friend.

“Arbella Insurance and Th e Arbella Foundation should be commended for taking the lead in the study and education of distracted driving,” said Steve Ellis, President of the Bright Insurance Agency. “As a Hopedale resident and father of two young drivers, I am well aware of the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of education and awareness of these dangers. We strongly encouraged Hopedale students to participate.”

Th e Distractology driving simulator, based on Arbella-funded research conducted with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMASS), will travel to various communities in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island during 2013, off ering 45 minutes of simulated distracted driving to each participant.

A student uses the Distractology simulator in this fi le photo supplied by Arabella Insurance. Th e Bright Insurance Agency

brought the Distractology 101 tour to Hopedale High School on April 8-12.

Milford Rotary Club Awards Five RYLA ScholarshipsTh e Rotary Club of Milford recently announced it has awarded scholarships to fi ve area high school sophomores who

have been selected by the high school educators and the Milford Rotary Club to attend this year’s Rotary Youth Leader-ship Awards (RYLA) Conference being held at Worcester State University in June.

Awards were given to Roma Gujarathi, Nipmuc Regional High School; Ella Dehestani, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational; Alexa DaFonte and Madeleine Mulroney, Hopedale High School and Kara DiGregono, Milford High School.

Michael Peterson, Rotarian and RYLA Committee Chairperson, said that the chosen students will be among the more than 100 area high school sophomores who will attend this years RYLA Conference aimed at developing the leadership potential of young men and women.

To be chosen, the candidates needed to qualify by showing leadership potential and good citizenship characteristics, and showing a strong desire to attend and benefi t from the conference. Additionally, in their individual interviews, they needed to stand out from the other applicants.

Anyone interested in obtaining further information should visit http://www.ryla7910.org/ or contact the Milford Ro-tary RYLA Chair or, any other member of the Milford Rotary Club.

DAR Presents Good Citizen Awards

Th e Framingham Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have announced the winners of the DAR Good Citizens Awards for the 2012 – 2013 academic year.

Th e award is granted to one senior in each community within the local DAR district. As part of an 80-year-old nationwide program, its aim is to recognize and reward the qualities of good citizenship among senior high school students.

Each Good Citizen was selected by the respective faculty, staff , and student government. Candidates are outstanding in character and citizenship to school, community, and country. Th e qualities of citizenship are dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

Th is year’s outstanding citizens are:Ashland: John JoyceBellingham: Shane CardinalHolliston: Amber AhronianHopedale: Kelsi McDougleHopkinton: Brian James DoyleMilford: Carolyn Chaplin

Congratulations to all of the DAR Good Citizens from these surrounding towns.


Community Health Center Plans Unveiled

Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy and State Senator Richard Moore, D. Uxbridge, spoke about the new Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center at Health Policy Conservation sponsored by the

Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts at the Doubletree Hotel in Milford on March 29. Harry

Platcow photo

Many Th anks

Th e Milford Youth Center staff and Commission would like to thank everyone who attended, donated,

supported and volunteered to make the fourth annual St. Pat’s Fundraiser Comedy and Dinner Dance the most successful one yet! Special thanks

go out to Oliva’s Market, Hayes Photography, Inside Corner, Bolios Sporting Goods, Exceptional Limo,

United Way of Tri-County, B&J Electric, Inc., Teacher’s Driving Academy (TDA), New England Sports Center, Bill Belichick, Imperial Cars, Pinz Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Original Designs

by Shea, Lioce Properties, Karl A. Bright Insurance Agency, Inc., Attorney Andy Starkis, Freedom Life Church, Th e Rhodes Family, Amy Leone, Milford

Regional Hospital, Whitinsville Monumental Works, JP Liquors, Th e Town Crier, Dogfi sh Brewery, Ron

Auger, Christine Daddario, Ed Mahoney, Laura Kidman, Girl Scouts Central & Western Mass,

Barbara Faria, Purchase St. Market, Jackie Morales, Th eodore Patsos, Coca Cola, 495 Rental, Freedom

Life Church, Prezo Grille & Bar, Big Picture Framing, Glen Ellen Country Club, Best Buy, Lenny Federico, Jen Distauro, Jess Walsh, Junior Walsh, and Igdalia

Medina. Contributed photo


“We are very excited about the opportunity to create this primary care center here in Milford.” With that remark, Frank Saba, chief executive offi cer of the Milford Regional Medical Center, explained plans to open an Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center facility on Cape Road (Route 140) by next fall at the Board of Selectmen’s March 18 meeting.

Confronted by the national shortage of primary care physicians, Saba explained, the hospital had a

desire to accomplish four goals: improve access to primary care, help people manage their chronic diseases, help people manage behavioral issues, and treat adolescents. One of the ways to meet these goals is by providing access to basic care with a team approach toward treatment, he said.

Partnering with the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center – which has facilities in Framingham and Worcester – will provide “a wonderful resource for this community,” Saba said. Th e new facility will be located in the same shopping plaza as the hospital’s 42 Cape Road Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine facility, he said.

“We’re very happy and grateful to have worked with the Greater Milford Health Access Coalition over the past few years,” explained Leah Gallivan, chief operating offi cer of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center. Th e 40 year-old organization was supported in its eff orts to expand by grants from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts and the MetroWest Health Foundation, enabling it to build a facility in Milford that will house nine exam rooms, a laboratory, and two to four medical personnel, Gallivan explained. “Th is will be more primary care access for the people of Milford. We’re excited to be part of this vibrant community,” she said.

Saba elaborated on the need for the community health center, explaining that there are only 16,000 primary care doctors in America, with a majority heading toward their retirement years. Because younger doctors tend to be more burdened with education-related debt, they are tending to enter higher-paying specialty areas, he said. Th is trend is coupled with another in which people who cannot aff ord to go to a doctor regularly use local emergency rooms for treatment – which leads to higher emergency room use and increased health care costs, Saba explained.

Th e cures for these two trends are to train more primary care doctors, create new models of care involving physicians’ assistants and nurse practitioners, and to create community health centers, he said.

Th e new community health center was discussed again at a March 29 “Health Policy Conversation” sponsored by the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts and held at the Doubletree Hotel.

Speaking at that event, State Senator Richard Moore, Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, commented: “Expanded access to quality care will now be available in the Milford area and will reduce unnecessary use of high-cost emergency services allowing emergency physicians to focus on true emergency situations. Th e Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center’s Milford branch is designed to deliver primary, preventive and dental care, as well as mental health, substance abuse and other community-based services to anyone in need regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.”

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