DUDLEY - Voters will be asked to authorize the borrowing of $725,000 for a new ladder truck for the fire department this Thursday, February 28. The meeting will be held at the Dudley Municipal Complex at 6:30.

Voters approved a debt exclusion to cover the cost of the fire truck last November. The actual borrowing and appropriation of the money had to be approved as well, and selectmen scheduled this Special Town Meeting to meet that requirement.  

The Webster Dudley Business Alliance, Isador's Organic Fruit & Deli & Commerce Bank of Webster are partnering together to host a Chili Cook Off on Sunday, March 3 from 12-3 p.m. at Isador's located at 261 Main Street in Oxford. This is the third year Isador's will host the event, which benefits local schools in the tri-town area with all proceeds going to the Hand Fruit Program.

The program was established by Justin Szostakowski, owner of Isador's. “Isador’s Hand Fruit Program raises funds through community events in order to supplement Massachusetts public school lunch programs with organic fruit. Our first event in February of 2010 provided enough fruit for the students of the Oxford Middle School, and has grown since then to include elementary schools in surrounding towns.” Justin also added, “The purpose of the cause is to provide a practical education to young people about the importance of whole food nutrition.” To that end he also speaks with the students and staff about the importance of good nutrition for maintaining a healthy body and mind.”

Stiles and L’Heureux share award

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY – Shepherd Hill seniors and best friends Emily Stiles and Johanna L’Heureux are literally at the top of their class.  The two have been ranked first and second in their class all year, but neither is willing to say which of them is actually number one, instead preferring the co-billing.

This standing earned them each a share of the Dudley-Charlton Superintendent’s Award, which is presented to the student(s) that not only excels in academics but is also involved in community service.

13-year-old Wojnar commended for aiding choking friend

By Charles Kelleher Harris
Patriot Correspondent

DUDLEY- Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting opened with a heartwarming story of heroism.

Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski came before the board to present a special certificate of appreciation to 13-year-old Joseph Wojnar.

Recently, during a church retreat at Saint Louis Church, Wojnar and friend Ryan Finton, both 7th graders at Dudley Middle School, were joking around and eating M&Ms.

Saturday hours suspended

by Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY – Nancy Barta-Norton has stepped down from her position as Director of the Pearle M. Crawfold  Memorial Library. She was chosen for the position last August, following the June departure of Matt Hall L. Hall, who had served as director for three years.

Ms. Barta-Norton, of Cranston, Rhode Island, was a lead librarian at Johnson & Wales University before the Dudley library trustees picked her from among 12 applicants.

DUDLEY - Nomination papers for the June 10 Annual Town Election will be available in the town clerk's office as of February 4. Following is a list of positions up for election, with the current incumbent in each office.

OFFICES TO BE ELECTED

ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION

JUNE 10, 2013

By Becky Harvey
Patriot correspondent

Kosta Karamanakis, student representative to the Dudley-Charlton School Committee, started off last  Wednesday’s  meeting with a report of his visit to the presidential inauguration in Washington DC.  He returned only just before the meeting.  He was part of a Student Council program that invites select students to take part in a very special program.  Later in the meeting he read a thank you to the committee for its efforts to make the schools a safer place.  Karamanakis made sure to say that it isn’t the role of just the school committee, but of the entire school community, including students, who are responsible for creating a safe environment.

Wednesday January 23, 2013
Location:  75 Mason Rd., Dudley

Particulars:   Last Wednesday evening, while most folks were hunkered down in the warmth of their homes to escape the absolutely arctic conditions outside, Dudley firefighters were battling fire and ice as they were called into action to fight a house fire on Mason Road.

Shortly after 6 PM, Dudley firefighters were requested to respond to 75 Mason Road.  The occupants of the residence were reporting a fire in the basement of the home.  First due Dudley firefighters arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke enveloping the neighborhood, and a couple of the occupants anxiously awaiting the fire department.  All of the home’s occupants escaped unharmed.

Jan 26: Virginia Richert of Dudley and Lyndsay Makie of Webster to participate

BOSTON - Over 300 eighth graders representing the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns will conveneSaturday, January 26,for the annual launch of Project 351 and day of service.   As part of Project 351, student “Ambassadors” from across Massachusetts will unite to serve and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.   Launched during Governor Deval Patrick’s inaugural in 2010, Project 351 is dedicated to celebrating youth leadership and inspiring the ethic of service.

Governor Patrick will again host a Youth Town Meeting this year, before joining Ambassadors for an afternoon of service at five non-profit and educational organizations across Boston.  The day will conclude at the State House where Ambassadors and the Governor will reflect on the day and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King.

The young people participating were all nominated by education leaders in their hometowns, based on their exemplary service ethic and spirit of generosity.

Eight Nichols seniors have been recognized by the publication Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, which identifies students who have distinguished themselves on both the academic and extracurricular fronts.

The students  (pictured in front of Conrad Hall with Nichols President Susan West Engelkemeyer) were nominated last fall by the College’s faculty and administrators.  They include Briana Dellamura, Crystal Dennison, Ryan Flavin, Thomas Haggerty, Catherine Jaworski, Stephen Mack, Stefany Mendez, and Megan Woodruff.