By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent.

WEBSTER -   Health Agent Cathleen Liberty Monday night addressed the Webster Board of Health with an issue regarding a separate entity, which will be located inside the new  Price Chopper, applying for a food permit. Angel Sushi, a company that contracts with Price Chopper, did not meet the minimum requirements for sinks needed in food preparation. The main food service area has the proper three-bay sink and hand sink. However, the law requires a separate three-bay sink and hand sink for each permit issued, regardless of whether the businesses share space. Nancie Zecco stated that sushi, being a raw food service, could cause cross contamination to foods being prepared by the Price Chopper food service. The board agreed to address the situation promptly and make the establishment take necessary steps to insure safety and compliance.

The new Price Chopper is scheduled to open April 23.

Dowgiewics proposes responsible property owner initiative

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER -   Town Administrator John McAuliffe presented the Board of Selectmen with the past year’s accomplishments. Mr. McAuliffe started by expressing his feelings on working as town administrator: “I am very fortunate to work with the bulk of the same board that hired me. I mean, that’s actually an unusual thing in this business, so I feel very fortunate… Quite candidly, I say this a lot off camera, so it’s nice to say on camera, that it really is a pleasure and an honor to serve Webster. This has been a tremendous Board of Selectmen…This is a welcome relief for a town administrator, working with a board that doesn’t care about the petty nonsense, that really cares about the big stuff and the goals in making the community a better place to live, and work, and raise a family…”

Southbridge, Webster Wait Times Rank Harrington In The Top 2 Percent

SOUTHBRIDGEand WEBSTER  Harrington HealthCare System’s Emergency Departments in both Southbridge and Webster rank among the top 2 percent of all hospitals in the country for short wait times, according to statistics compiled by an influential healthcare publication.

The average wait in the EDs at Harrington Hospital and Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard in Webster was 6 minutes for the first quarter of 2012, the latest period examined by Becker’s Hospital Review. The 6-minute wait time put Harrington HealthCare System among the top 49 healthcare systems in the country, or the top 2 percent.

WEBSTER - Demolition of the buildings at 38-42 Prospect Street was completed last week, the materials and rubble have been removed, and the property is now a vacant lot. The town ordered the three buildings housing 13 apartment units to be razed because they were deemed a safety hazard by the building inspector and fire chief. Two of the buildings were constructed with a 4-inch granite veneer. Town Administrator John McAuliffe said that some town residents had thought these buildings might have some historical value, but there is nothing unique about the buildings' construction. Building Inspector Ted Tetreault said they were constructed of wood and masonry, not of granite blocks. Some family members of the owner of record, Paul O'Donnell, had expressed an interest in the blocks as well, thinking they were solid granite, but lost interest when it was discovered that the granite was a veneer only. The Town paid $35,000 for the demolition from a nuisance properties fund, and will attempt to collect that amount from the owner.

Headless animal found skinned in French River

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – Robbie Somers, of Dudley, an employee of Allied Roofing Systems on Mill Street was doing his normal outdoor morning routine when he discovered a garbage bag floating in the water.  Once he opened the bag, he was shocked to discover the headless body of an animal that looked like a dog and had been skinned.

He called the Webster Police Department, who it turn called Webster Animal Control officer Michelle LaFleche, who was also shocked by the discovery.

“We got a call from the police on Monday, March 25, at approximately 5:30 a.m. that there was a dead animal found at Applied Roofing.  We met with the officer and he showed us where the animal was,” said LaFleche.

Webster Police Report
From: Lieutenant Michael Shaw
Date: March 22, 2013

On 3/22/13 at approximately 1353 hours a Green Mazda Mini Van was reported stolen from Sunnyside Farms at 32 Lake Street. The owner had gone into the market and left the van running. That’s when Yakouba Sawadogo (10/23/90 49A Lake Street Webster) jumped into the driver’s seat and started to drive off. His friend, Mohamed Sandi (8/7/88 49A Lake Street Webster) tried to get in but the owner saw what was happening and gave chase on foot. The van drove off and Sandi fled on foot.

by David O'Connor

Ten years ago on March 3rd, 2003 The Golden Greek restaurant opened its doors to the public when they leased the old “Big Apple” Fruit Stand on 156 Lake Street. Owner Nick Thanas looking to expand his portfolio in Massachusetts asked long time employee Wayne Nadeau to take the lead as the General Manager. Shortly after opening shop, Nick passed away and after some negotiations, Wayne purchased the restaurant preserving the Golden Greek name.

Fast forward ten years and The Golden Greek restaurant is one of the top local eateries in Webster, offering an assortment of menu options with a commitment of providing with good food at fair prices.

On Sunday March 24th, from 3-6 pm the Webster Ca$h Mob will be joining The Golden Greek restaurant in celebration of ten great years of service. Mobsters are asked to come down with their families for a late lunch / early dinner. There are several menu items available for under $10, and they also have an assortment of beer and wine available as well.

After you’ve made your purchase, your receipt will have a question on it. Should you answer the question correctly (it’s a very easy question and Wayne advised that most if not all will get it right) you’ll be entered in their 2 grand prize drawings. Winners will enjoy a free pizza a week for a year and free “broasted” chicken for a year. In addition to these grand prize drawings, there will also be free raffle prizes for T-Shirts, hats, and other Greek-swag. All in all this will be an exciting event and an opportunity to celebrate a decade of quality, freshly prepared food right here in Webster.

So come down Sunday March 24th, from 3-6pm to say thank you to another great Webster business

All attendees please click ‘going’ so that The Golden Greek can staff accordingly for the day of the event.  Let’s fill this place!!  Loyal 2 Local!!

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER -  The Webster Board of Selectmen met once more with the Hazards in regard to a previous dangerous dog hearing. The Hazards failed to appear before the board during the scheduled March 5 hearing, and had not complied with the measures requested by the board.

Amy Hazard appeared before the board on Monday, March 18, stating that the dog was no longer in their possession but presently staying elsewhere. Selectman Mark Dowgiewicz asked Hazard if the dog was still in town and her reply was, “It doesn’t matter.”

to Support ED Fund-Raiser

WEBSTER, Mass. – Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard will host a Taste of Poland event on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the 200 Sportsmen Club (184 Sutton Road) in Webster. The event takes place from 5:30 p.m. to midnight and features authentic Polish food, dancing and raffles.

The event is a fund-raiser to support the Strengthening our Future campaign to rebuild the Emergency Department in Webster. The $8.8 million campaign, which kicked off in March 2012, is led by a $4 million anonymous matching gift. To date, donations from individuals, businesses and the community have totaled more than $2.2 million.

March 13: Webster police arrest William Ferrante
for impersonating a police officer.

On March 11 Webster Police Officer Robert Ela developed information that a young woman had been followed to her boy friend’s house by someone who was utilizing a blue light similar to that which is commonly found in police cars. This occurred on March 5th and was reported to the Webster Police Department, however no vehicle was found at that time.

After a brief investigation by Officer Ela, it was determined that the driver in question was William Ferrante, 24, 21 Mill Street Webster. Allegedly Ferrante would use the light to “slow cars down” when they were speeding past him on the highway. He would also come across accidents and use the light to warn traffic until police arrived. In the above mentioned incident, the victim was driving on 395 Northbound when Ferrante was behind her utilizing the blue light. She pulled over and he passed her, only to slow down again and again pull behind her with the blue light flashing.

Fearing for her safety, the victim drove to her boyfriend’s house and Ferrante approached the victim and demanded her license. He then apparently identified himself as a military police officer.

Officer Ela applied for and was granted a warrant for the arrest of Ferrante for impersonating a police officer. He is being held at the Webster Police Department on $240.00 bail. He will be arraigned tomorrow at Dudley District Court.