Per the DEP, Dudley water has completed 2 full rounds of water samples.

The  BOIL ALERT has been officially lifted.
YOU WILL NO LONGER NEED TO BOIL YOUR WATER.
PLEASE FLUSH ALL WATER SUPPLY LINES, BY RUNNING COLD WATER FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE (5) MINUTES.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE CONTACT THE DUDLEY WATER DEPARTMENT AT 508-949-8007.

DUDLEY VOICES

by Lisa Berg MAA

Q. What is Motor Vehicle Abatement and how do I qualify and apply for it?

A. Motor vehicle excise taxes are based on the calendar year. If you sell a vehicle and purchase a new one during the same year, and the excise bill on the old vehicle has been paid, the buyer may receive abatement (or reduction) of their excise bill for the remaining paid months on the old vehicle.

The Assessor’s Office has the authority to give abatements when a car is sold, stolen, totaled, or registered in another state during the year that the excise tax was paid.  The Assessor’s office must receive applications for abatement within three years after the date the excise tax was due, or one year after the date the excise tax was paid, whichever is later.

In order to qualify for abatement you must provide proof of BOTH:

1)      Conveyance (or transfer) of title to the vehicle. (By gift, repossession, sale, etc…) AND

2)      Cancellation of the registration. (Plate Return Receipt, or Lost Plate Affidavit from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles)

If you were assigned a new license plate by the Registry, you must bring the Plate Return Receipt to the Assessor’s Office when you apply for abatement. If you purchase a new vehicle and transfer the license plate from the old one, you will need to bring a copy of your new registration.

All license plate numbers are assigned and as long as the plate is active, you will be responsible for the excise taxes accrued by that plate. Even if you leave the state and turn your plates over to the new Registry, you will need to send the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles a copy of your new state registration, along with your Massachusetts excise tax bill.

If your car is stolen or totaled, immediately go to the Registry and file a Lost/Stolen Plate Form. You may need a police report to do this, but it will end your responsibility for the plate, and will stop police from tracing plates to you if anyone were using them for criminal intent.

Failure to take care of any of the above may result in a difficult and expensive process as your excise taxes begin to pile up and warrants are issued.  Unpaid excise taxes can be costly and, additionally, you cannot renew your license or register your car until all outstanding bills are paid.

While the Assessor’s office does not handle payments, we do issue an abatement notification to the Tax Collector, who collects the adjusted balance after the abatement, or a refund check if applicable.  The minimum abatement allowed is $5.00.

If you have any questions regarding an excise tax bill, call the Dudley Assessor’s Office at 508-949-8006 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

By Jamie Bowlin

I recently had the privilege of sitting down for an interview with Dudley resident Zenon “Doc” Szlyk, MD. I knew it would be an interesting interview, but had no idea how fascinating it would be to hear and write about someone whose life of dedication to his family, his profession, and his community are worthy of note.

Zenon Szlyk was born on New Year’s Day in 1927 in Worcester to Polish immigrants John and Antoinette (Nosel) Szlyk.  Doc served in the Army during WWII, and was training with an Amphibious Tank Battalion for the invasion of Japan when the surrender of the Japanese ended the war. He went on to get his BA at Harvard University in 1949, and his medical degree at Georgetown Medical School in 1953.  He did his professional training at Worcester City Hospital from 1953-1958, and received professional certifications from the American Board of Surgery in 1959 and the Fellowship of American College of Surgeons in 1966. He has also been a member of the Worcester District Medical Society and the Massachusetts Medical Association over the past 50 years.

Doc Szlyk married Florence P. Kingston in 1953, and moved to Dudley in 1958.  He started work as a staff surgeon at the Webster District Hospital, later named Hubbard Regional Hospital. Doc became Chief of Surgery and worked at Hubbard Regional Hospital until his semi-retirement in September 1989. Later that year, and into 1997, he was a physician with Fallon Clinic.  He also served as Corporator for the Hubbard Regional Hospital.  Doc and Florence raised five children: Virginia, Steven, Joan, Janet, and Laura, who along with their spouses and grand children recently celebrated their 59^th wedding anniversary.

During his tenure at Hubbard Regional Hospital, Doc served on the Dudley School Committee from 1962-1971, and as Chairman from 1963-1965. He served on the school committee during the time of planning and building of the Mason Road School.   Doc also participated in the events leading to the construction of Shepherd Hill Regional High School.  During these same years Doc served a term on the Parish Council of St. Andrew Bobola Church.

He is a Trustee and one of the original founders of the Quo Vadis Club and Trust, founded in 1960. Quo Vadis continues its mission today of supporting excellence in education, through student scholarships and teacher appreciation awards, in the Webster and Dudley-Charlton school districts.  In addition to honoring students and teachers, the club also contributes to the annual First Honors Dinner at Shepherd Hill and the Super Team Recognition Dinner at Bartlett High School.  Doc and his family proudly supported and contributed to the new Town of Dudley Library.  He has been an active member of the Webster First Federal Credit Union since 1968, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Doc was associated for several years with the Pope John Paul II Foundation of New England and served for a time as its president.  In that capacity he and his wife had the distinguished honor to meet with Pope John Paul II and were contributors to the Pope John Paul II cultural center in Washington, DC.

I asked Doc to share in his own words his thoughts and guiding principles, and he responded with this:

As a child of the real Great Depression, as a Harvard graduate, I take humble pride for my life accomplishments and family, and as a World War II Army Veteran, in being part of that Greatest Generation. My principle guidelines, instilled in me by my parents,  are: dedication to the work ethic, respect for and support of education as the primary means for children to advance economically and socially, and promoting a strong family bond handed down to the next generation. My mother and father both lived into their 90’s and were married almost 75 years, and I have been blessed for 59 years to still have the love of my life, Florence “Pat” Szlyk. My life philosophy, interestingly, comes from the word inscribed on my class ring from Harvard, the word Veritas, meaning Truth, from which I have subscribed to a great abiding respect for the sacred devotion of our Founding Fathers, and to carry on their ideals as a unified, freedom-loving people.

In my retirement I have indulged in reading extensively of our country’s founding fathers; biographies of Washington, Adams, Lincoln, and at the age of 85 maintain an active interest in local, state, and national politics.

Doctor Szlyk, the Town of Dudley and all of its residents, as well as our nation owes you a debt of gratitude for your tireless dedication in furthering the health, education, and ideals of our community. Thank you.

Board to consider new voluntary
benefit plan for town employees

By Becky Harvey
Patriot correspondent

DUDLEY - Dudley Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski announced at the August 6th Board of Selectmen meeting that he was able to successfully win a grant that will allow the town to hire one additional personnel for the department.  The S.A.F.E.R. (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant, part of the FEMA program, was “created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help them increase the number of trained, ‘front line’ firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards established by the NFPA and OSHA,” according to the FEMA website.  The grant was approved in the amount of $117,515 and is good for two years of employment.  It will cover salary and benefits for one daytime position.  Selectmen had previously voted to accept the grant.  At this meeting they also voted to accept the job-posting as provided by the chief.

Also covered in the meeting was the option of offering voluntary benefits to town employees through Colonial Life instead of Aflac.  New England Enrollments Strategy is the largest voluntary insurance agency for Colonial Life in New England.  They boasted that they offer more and better benefits to their clients, including guaranteed college scholarship programs that are based on matched employee earnings and can cover up to a full year (or twenty-five percent) of a four-year college for tuition.   Other towns which have signed on with New England Enrollments Strategy have an average of ninety percent participation in programs like this one. The only benefit that the NEES does not offer that Aflac does is voluntary dental.  They already work with towns like Webster, Northbridge, Lynn and Framingham, and they are endorsed by the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. The company offers additional life, short-term disability and other “gap” insurances.  They claim they offer 20 to 30 percent savings to employees off of Aflac prices due to the lack of advertising on the part of Colonial Life.  The selectmen moved that the town treasurer and administrator come up with a proposal for benefits through NEES along with the request to have them obtain copies of the proposals they have with the towns of Webster and Charlton, for comparison.

Discussions of the nineteen-year proposed solar contracts commenced during the meeting.  Robert Babcock of EPG Solar Net Metering spoke about the discount they offer to towns over the “net meter credits.”  He claimed that their discounts were, on average, one hundred percent higher than any of their competitors.  The town is actively pursuing adding solar energy to save money and be greener.  In his update to the selectmen, Babcock spoke about how their financing deals would add to the town’s savings. Questions regarding what would happen after the contract expired were asked.  Babcock stated that the proposed solar farm would be housed outside of town.  After the length of the term of the contract, due to the fact the “farm” is leased, not purchased, the facility would be dismantled.  Selectman Peter Fox stated that there needs to be a five-year right to review, should the contract be signed.  The selectmen decided not to execute the contract at the meeting and requested it be amended with the five-year review clause.

Selectmen welcomed homeowners from Circle Drive, a private road.  The town has been unable to plow from 6th Avenue to Paula Lane because plow drivers would be required to plow or drive over Circle Drive.  As it is private, that is not allowed without easements from all the abutters. They discussed at length the best way to go about legally allowing plowing.  It was decided that easements from all owners would be sought.  So far all but one owner has shown interest in cooperating.

The Dudley selectmen reappointed Officer Philip Megas to a probationary one-year term at the August 6th meeting.  They also reappointed Sergeant  Pamela Daniel, a Retired Reserve Officer and Daniel Gion, the Interim Tree Warden,  for another year.

Thursday August 16, 2012
7 pm to 9 pm

The Dudley Republican Town Committee will hold its August meeting on Thursday, August 16th at 7:00 pm.  The meeting will be held at 71 West Main Street, Dudley Town Hall in the Senior Citizen Center.  All registered Republicans are encouraged to attend and those interested in joining.  For further information please contact DRTC Chairperson Jamie C. Bowlin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and visit the DRTC website at www.dudleyrupublicans.com

Interview police sergeant candidates

By Becky Harvey
Patriot Correspondent

DUDLEY - The Dudley Selectmen held a special “workshop” meeting on Monday night.  This is only the second such “workshop.”  They are similar to regular meetings, but a “little less formal,” though they still adhere to Robert’s Rules.

The workshop agenda included discussion of the special ballot questions regarding the wording for the debt exclusion requested for funds to buy a new ladder truck for the fire department and the override that will fund many municipal departments and the school department with their budget deficits.

The selectmen unanimously voted that the wording for the debt exclusion ballot question will be:

“Shall the Town of Dudley be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to purchase a ladder truck for the fire department?”

They also voted unanimously, in an effort to offer the most explanation for the request and for the most “transparency,” to phrase the override question as follows:

“Shall the Town of Dudley be allowed to assess an additional $500,000.00 in real and personal property taxes for the purpose of funding the following departmental expenses: Police Department ($31,000), Fire Department ($34,000), Highway Department ($35,000), Treasurer ($32,000), Veterans Services ($28,000), Vocational Education ($45,000), Buildings & Grounds ($10,000), Library ($10,000), Municipal Services ($15,000), Town Clerk ($5,000), Finance Appropriation Advisory Committee ($5,000), and the Dudley Charlton Regional School District ($250,000), for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and twelve?

Selectman Paul Joseph raised concerns about what the effects of the questions will be to the average –tax-payer, should the questions pass.  The town treasurer prepared a report that showed the very minor increases that would occur with each change.  If neither were to pass, the average tax payer would pay about $2,351.56 or $11.23 per thousand in fiscal year 2013.  The debt exclusion would not be a factor until 2014 because the ladder truck would need to be ordered and made, which would not be done until sometime in that year, therefore no payments by the town would be needed in 2013.  If the override passes, the 2013 bills would be affected.  The average bill would go up by $125.64 or $10.47 per month.  (That represents an increase to $11.83 per thousand.)  If, in 2014, the override had failed, but the exclusion for the ladder truck went through, citizens would pay $2,374.60.  This represent an increase of only $23.04 over the entire year, or an $.11 increase in the per thousand cost per month.  The increase is so small due to other debt exclusions that are expiring, namely the library debt exclusion.  If both the override and the debt exclusion for the ladder truck were to pass, the new rate would rise to $2500.24, an increase of $148.68 for fiscal year 2014.  This is representative of just $.71 per thousand.  Once these numbers were produced and explained, Joseph felt the town would be more prepared to make an informed decision and not be scared by the possibility of these two items passing.

The rest of the meeting was dedicated to giving the three officers up for the sergeant’s position an opportunity to introduce themselves and the selectmen.  There was only one controversial issue regarding this process.  Selectmen Joseph stated that he wanted to go on record that he was offended by the language used by the attorney, Scott Dunlap, who represents the Dudley Police Association, in his letter to town administrator Peter Jankowski.  In it, Dunlap states that the interview process that was taking place at this selectmen’s workshop constituted a “quasi judicial proceeding.”  He was worried that as such, the officers had a right to view “evidence” that was to be considered.  Joseph was noticeably upset by the terminology used.  He went on-record to say that the interview was not a legal proceeding of any kind, quasijudicial or not.  Having gotten that statement out, the process began.

Though the three candidates, Officer Chandler Boyd II, Officer James Hutchinson and Officer Marek Karlowicz, had already been through an official interview panel with the chief of police and three other chiefs from local townships, the process would not be complete until the selectmen had had a chance to meet and question them.  Chairman Jonathan Ruda, said that this was more or less being done so the townspeople could get a chance to get to know the officers a little bit better.  Each selectman was given the opportunity to ask a number of questions of each candidate.  The entire process will be broadcast and posted on the Dudley town website.  The selectmen invite all citizens to view the broadcast and see the officers who are up for the promotion.

Dudley Economic Development Committee meets at Nichols College –

Tax increment financing discussed

by Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

DUDLEY - Monday night’s forum drew a smaller than expected group of townspeople and business owners, but the meeting was enlightening and rewarding for the Economic Development Committee. Members in attendance were Jo-Ann Szymczak, Andrew O’Keefe, Marcia Wagner, Ellen Laprise, and Bob Chalue.

Jo-Ann Szymczak opened the forum, held at the Daniels Auditorium on the Nichols College campus, by stating that the event was an opportunity for townspeople and businesses to express their vision for Dudley’s economic future. “We’re here to get input and thoughts from you,” she said. Andrew O’Keefe further stated “Tell us what you want us to do….what types of businesses do you want in Dudley? If we don’t bring in new businesses, our taxes will rise higher and higher.

The purpose of this committee is to bring in business to Dudley, to assist in developing a good tax base for all of us.”  Mr. O’Keefe then walked out into the audience with his microphone asking those in attendance if they’d like to offer their comments. Mr. Lee Foshay of I.F.Engineering Corp. took the microphone and expressed his thoughts about “the need for long-term goals and how these goals would bring business in.”  He stated that Dudley is a “clean town” and clean businesses would be a good fit.

Dan Prouty of Millyard Industrial Properties of Charlton City spoke about how he likes to look at the historical aspect of where a town’s past has been. He commented that he remembers the past vibrancy of downtown Webster and Dudley. “If I were the mayor of Dudley,” he stated, “I’d realize that it isn’t about the tax rate, but how many new businesses could spin off from bringing in other industries.”  Employees of these new industries would eat, live, and shop in the community, bringing in additional town revenue. Ms. Szymczak then commented that “the Committee has looked at West Main Street and how this street should be developed. A local insurance agency on West Main has maintained a well-groomed and professional-looking building, which is a great standard.”

Ms. Szymczak further stated that “within a year we’d like to have a final report in place that showcases Dudley’s benefits for potential business developers and it would include a permitting process checklist, highway access information, and a street grid plan.”  Mr. O’Keefe then reminded the attendees that they are always welcome at their twice-monthly meetings held on the 3^rd floor of the Dudley Municipal Complex every second and fourth Monday of the month. He urged everyone to attend these meetings as well as the upcoming Dudley selectmen’s meeting on Monday, August 6, at 6:30pm, where he will be a speaker on the agenda.

Mr. Prouty then voiced his opinion using IPG Photonics as an example of Oxford’s benefitting from the company’s expansion through the use of Tax Increment Financing (“TIF”). He stated that this type of industry is less likely to leave the area for another state as they now have a well-trained technical labor force right here. It appeared that the major points of contention were that Dudley requires a quicker permit policy and an advocate for making it easier for businesses to locate here. At this point Mr. O’Keefe made the point that he “wants to keep Dudley rural but realizes the need for a larger tax base.”  He declared “We, as a committee, are willing to do whatever it takes to get business here but want Dudley to still retain its ambience.”

Ms. Szymczak  closed the forum by saying “we need organized growth for a great co-existence/mix of residential and business life. We love our town and want the best for it.” She thanked all those in attendance for their comments, suggestions, and ideas.

Janet Stoica

Patriot Correspondent

Effective August 1^st, on Wednesdays only, the Dudley Town Hall will be closed to its Town residents for public business.   Town employees will be at their jobs but due to staff cutbacks and budget constraints, Town departmental employees will be heavily involved with catching up on their daily responsibilities by making the Town run as efficiently as possible with limited staff. Departments that will benefit greatly from the new Wednesday schedule will be those in the financial areas: Assessors Office, Town Treasurer, Town Collector, and Town Clerk.

At their July 2^nd meeting, Dudley Selectmen voted to temporarily change the Town Hall hours to Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (day & evening hours), and Friday until 1pm.

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY – Shepherd Hill Regional High School has existed since 1973 and if you walked through the halls and the classrooms, you would never know it.  The building is in excellent condition, considering it is almost forty years old.

A lot of the credit for the building’s condition goes to the maintenance and janitorial staff, but for the second year in a row Worcester Sherriff Lew Evangelidis brought his Inmate Work Program to the school to paint classrooms, and that has also helped make a difference.

“The time, energy, and effort from a number of people, primarily the janitorial staff, has helped the building hold up really well,” said
Assistant Principal Andy Leach, “and now we have the luxury of reaching out to this community service that the sheriff offers to help out with the classrooms.

“The sheriff had an assembly here at the school back a few months ago and we requested to have the community service program come back like they did last year to paint classrooms. It had worked out really well, it saves the janitorial staff time so they can focus on the building.”

The school staff appreciates it and, according to Leach, the kids are thrilled to see their classrooms painted in maroon and gold, the schools colors.  “When they see the school colors, they light up.”

The school will save about a quarter of its normal costs by using the Inmate Work Program.

Besides the obvious benefits that the program offers municipalities and nonprofits, the inmates also benefit. It gives them the opportunity to feel a sense of accomplishment in helping out the community rather than sit in a jail cell all day.  It’s a win-win all the way around.

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any comments.

DUDLEY - In the second of two public hearings sponsored by the Dudley Selectmen on Monday night, Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski requested that the selectmen sponsor a ballot question to request a debt exclusion for the sole purpose of purchasing a new ladder truck for the town.  The cost of the new truck is $750,000.  The number seems quite daunting, but after hearing the chief speak, backed up by the town treasurer, Richard Carmignani, and a break-down of the per average household cost by a concerned citizen, it actually didn’t seem so bad.

The reason the chief is requesting a new ladder truck is because the aging, 32 year-old truck the town currently owns is in “horrible condition,” according to the chief.  He stated, with much conviction, that he didn’t believe the current truck would last more than a year or two at most.  He believes it is basically unsafe for his people, but it is instrumental in fighting fires.  He worries every time one of his men goes up.

A new truck would last 25 to 30 years, according to Kochanowski.  He has looked into other options, like buying a used truck and lowering the floor of the current station (older trucks are bigger and don’t fit like a new one would.)  The cost was more than purchasing new.  He also looked into 75-foot ladders, as opposed to 100-foot ladder trucks, but after a survey of the properties in Dudley, he confirmed that the smaller size wouldn’t serve the town adequately.

He pointed out, that unlike an override which stays on the books until it’s overturned, a debt exclusion is only on the books until it is paid off.  Additionally he stated that the cost of this “lifesaving” apparatus comes at an average cost of only $21 per household, or $1.75 per month.  Kochanowski went on to show pictures of both the homes in town which necessitate the 100 foot ladder, but also the current ladder truck.  The truck which is now in use had a bowed frame that prevents roof ladders from being carried on the truck.  He also showed where the high-pressure hydraulic system’s main drive is leaking and where the frame is beginning to show signs of rotting.  There is a piston in need of repair, which costs $13,000.  Many of the parts that need replacement can’t be replaced because they are no longer available due to the age of the machine.  This leaves the firemen and women using broken equipment.  Additionally, the truck is not NFDA compliant.

Carmingnani assured tax-payers that this purchase has been on the capital improvement plans for three years.  It is an expense that the town has expected.  Additionally, there are other debt exclusions which will be paid off in the coming year, namely the library project.

One question asked by a townsperson was whether this could wait until May’s meeting.  The frank answer from the chief was, “no.”  Not only would the cost probably rise, but the time it takes to build the ladder truck would probably extend past the time the current truck would be usable.

Chairman Jonathan Ruda, prior to the vote as to whether or not to put the request for the debt exclusion on the ballot, stated that this was not to be taken as a scare tactic.  He reassured the people that Chief Kochanowski would take the current truck out of service should it become a true danger to the department.

Selectmen Joseph countered by saying that both requests, this one for the debt exclusion and the prop two and a half over-ride “are must have—got to have!”  The unanimous vote to include this ballot item followed quickly.