Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER - Cassandra Bent grew up in Webster giving to the community, and now that she is a senior and journalism major at Emerson College in Boston, she is still giving back to her community.

She recently produced a documentary entitled “Webster's Main Street Revitalization,” which details the changes the downtown area is going through and contains interviews with town and state officials, including Selectman Deborah Keefe, Town Administrator John McAuliffe, Police Chief Timothy Bent, Lt. Governor Timothy Murray, Senator Richard T. Moore, and Representative Kevin Kuros.

The excellent piece earned Bent an “A” in her class, and even more importantly, is getting the town’s projects a lot of notice as it gets more and more views on YouTube. 

Bent could have chosen any topic that she wanted for her project. Living in Boston gave her unlimited possibilities, but instead she chose a topic that was close to her heart.

“Instead of doing some project that is going to be forgettable and isn’t going to help anyone but me, I thought why don’t I help my home town and do something that will be beneficial to where I am from, so I decided to this.”

Raised in Webster, Bent went to Saint Anne’s school for eight years and attended and graduated from Marianapolis Prep School in 2008.

“I feel blessed to have grown up in Webster, my parents are still here and I will always call it my home.”

She went to Bryant College for her freshmen year but knew that her real love was journalism and transferred to Emerson, one of the best journalism schools in the country, for her sophomore year.  She said “it was the best choice” she ever made and “loves” the journalism program there.

“The Emerson community, you have to see it to understand what it’s like. Everyone is so passionate, it’s very rare to have anyone who is an undeclared major, everyone knows exactly what they want to do and everyone has huge dreams, whether its films, being a director, journalism.  I have done a lot of writing and multimedia. My best friend is in Florida at spring training because she is into sports journalism. Some of my other friends went to the Oscars.”

Bent also loves the Boston community and living on Beacon Hill, just a short walk across the Boston Common from the Emerson campus.

“I always tell people that if you have the opportunity to move to a city then you should move to a city. I am happy every day, you wake up and you walk around, there are tons of people all around, it’s great to be able to walk everywhere. I hardly ever have to take the T because of the location I live in.”

Prior to filming and editing her documentary on downtown Webster, Bent “dabbled in a lot of things.”  One of these “things” was blogging on the Boston.com website. She wrote one blog which for two days was the most e-mailed topic on the entire site.

She created a story after finding out that a lot of places in the North End don’t advertise that they have gluten-free food, but carry it. She went to places like Modern Pastry and interviewed them and even sampled their Gluten-free Whoopie Pie, which she said was “out of this world.”

“It was really neat to do that story, a great experience. I got to interview a lot of restaurant owners, I interviewed the founder of Celiac.com and they even blogged about the article on their site.” 

In her sophomore year she worked on a comedy news TV show. “Comedy is not really my thing, I am more into hard news but I liked it.” She also has worked on various other shows and has enjoyed it all and it’s no secret that her “passion for journalism is huge” and she stated that more than once while we spoke.

Bent also has a blog called Cassie’s Crime time (http://word.emerson.edu/fall11jr408-bent/), which has interviews and articles about Webster on it.

“My aspirations are to work somewhere in crime as a crime reporter or doing public relations for a large police department or a government agency. I had an internship doing PR for the US Marshalls in Boston last spring and loved it so much. Reporting on law enforcement is definitely where my passion lies so I created the Cassie Crime time blog. A lot of it is curated; some of it is original content. The whole page about Webster is original.”

Shooting the documentary on downtown Webster was an obvious step towards her goal, and having her father as the Chief of Police in Webster definitely helped. The response to it has been quite favorable.

“Its always nice to get good feedback. Having feedback from people in Webster was nice because you have someone who is not looking at your shot, someone who is not a journalist is giving you the feedback. They all said really great things about it.  Senator Moore’s office was real nice and everyone e-mailed my Dad about it.”

She nailed it from a school project standpoint as well. “I got A’s from two different professors on the project.  One of my professors gave me really good feedback and was impressed by how many sources I had.”

This was her first real long-form project and took over 20 hours to shoot and another 50-100 hours to edit, but the hard work has paid off and she was very pleased with the results.

With her college career ending this spring, Bent is in decision- making mode, or trying to be any way. “I am having a difficult time deciding exactly what I want to do. My passion for journalism is obviously huge.”

Bent understands that it is hard to get a public relations job in law enforcement without experience, so she plans on getting more journalism experience.

“I am looking to move away for a few years and I am debating whether to go down the road of journalism or public relations. I definitely want to do something with law enforcement in some way. I know that I will keep writing and making videos because I know that is where my passion is.”

Eventually she says she will move wherever her career takes her, but as far as the first move goes, she does have a plan. She is focusing on Seattle, Washington, which is close to where her brother TJ, who is an Air Force pilot stationed in Tacoma, lives.

“We are best friends, he is the person that I call first and I am the first person that he calls. We have always been close.”

As for growing up in Webster, Bent said this: “It was great. I wouldn’t change my childhood for anything. My father is great; both our parents have had a lot of patience with us. We grew up volunteering at Webster events. We grew up around the police department.  We have really been instilled with helping our community and helping others.”

Cassie Bent’s video on the Revitalization of Webster can be seen on YouTube at the address below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bKyCsWQkxpw

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Webster – The Board of Health has ordered the Empire Wok to close its restaurant operations until it corrects a number of violations found by Health Agent Cathleen Liberty in a routine inspection on March 12.

Board of Health Chairman Dave Zalewski said in a statement Tuesday that the restaurant will remain closed until it meets the minimum safety and sanitation standards for food establishments. The bar, however, can remain open, provided that no food is served.

Ms. Liberty wrote in the inspection report that she found several critical violations in the food preparation area: an accumulation of food debris on cutting boards stored under the prep table and on knives in a knife rack next to the hand sink, frozen meat thawing at room temperature, rather than thawing in a refrigerator or under running water, and wet cloths stored on the prep table.

In the cooking area, she found containers stored uncovered in the refrigerator and in the cold hold, food debris on all equipment, insufficient sanitizers, and an accumulation of food, water, and grease on the floor and under equipment.

Ms. Liberty found additional critical violations in the storage area and basement.

There were a total eight violations that relate to foodborne illnesses, which prompted the shut down order.

The board recommended that the restaurant increase the staff who are ServSafe certified. Ms. Liberty said she would like to see two of the food prep staff and two of the kitchen staff be certified. Currently, only one person is certified.  ServSafe addresses all areas of restaurant operations and would be beneficial to Empire Wok’s overall service, she said.

ServSafe classes are offered in multiple languages, which could benefit non-English speaking staff, she noted.

The board also recommended that the restaurant hire a food consultant, who could work with all the staff members to ensure compliance in each of the problem areas.

To address the cleanliness aspect, the board will require that the restaurant hire a cleaning company to clean daily, and to supply the Board of Health with invoices from a company who removes oil from Fryolators.

The board had received eight complaints about the restaurant in the last year, and has issued cease and desist orders in the past, one as recently as last month. In that instance Empire Wok addressed the problem issues within two days, and was allowed to reopen.  The owner is Dong Yeo Ying.

More photos follow.

WEBSTER - The Town tore down one of its top nuisance properties last week. The store front property at 476 South Main Street was demolished in short order on Tuesday. The building adjacent to it, also an eyesore, is structureally sound and will be repaired by the new owner immediately. Tom Murray of TMUR Construction LLC, which purchased the building from Gregg A. Seraphin in February, understood the situation and is cooperating with the building inspector, said Board of Health Agent Cathleen Liberty. The Town paid for the razing of the building because it was a public safety issue and had to be done immediately.

Dudley firefighters attack the fire from the 2nd floor

Date:  Sunday March 11, 2012 
Location:  151 School Street, Webster

More photos follow.

Particulars:   On Sunday evening March 11th, firefighters from Webster and several surrounding communities were put to the test as fire broke out in a apartment house on School Street in Webster.  After battling the blaze for several hours, firefighters were able to quell the blaze, but not after the occupants of the building were routed and ultimately displaced from of their units.

At 5:40 PM, a dispatcher at Webster Fire Control received an emergency call reporting a small fire in a 2nd floor bathroom at 151 School Street.  He immediately dispatched a first alarm assignment to respond to the call.  As the dispatcher finished his notification, he started fielding “numerous calls from the neighborhood” reporting heavy smoke in the area, prompting responding fire companies that “this might be a little more than a bathroom fire”.  Fire Chief Brian Hickey and Fire Captain Ron Fournier arrived on scene almost simultaneously about two minutes after the initial call, and struck a second alarm which activated all Webster firefighters and rescue personnel.  Two more minutes elapsed, and Chief Hickey struck a third alarm and special called mutual aid of an Engine and crew from the Dudley Fire Department, as well as two aerial units, one from the Southbridge Fire Department and one from the Oxford Fire Department.  The Webster Fire Department’s Tower unit was badly needed in the early minutes of the fire, but was unavailable because it was placed out of service due to mechanical and safety issues earlier this year.  The Tower is currently at a repair facility in East Hartford CT and extensive, much needed repairs are underway.  Chief Hickey had pre-planned with surrounding towns that if an aerial truck were needed for a fire in town, he would call for their services.  The Webster FD does have a second aerial truck, but it has a much shorter aerial ladder and has limited capabilities.  Webster’s Ladder 2 was utilized at this fire to access the roof at the rear of the enormous building.

The fire traveled through many void spaces throughout the third floor and attic area as firefighters worked hard for several hours to chase down the fire and extinguish it.  Many spectators gathered across the street watching the fire race through what was once the town’s Elks Lodge.  The grand old building looked to be well maintained, and many were sad to see it ablaze.

After a very extensive firefight, Chief Hickey placed the fire under control at approximately 8:15 PM, some two and a half hours after the initial call.  Crews remained on scene chasing down hot spot for the next couple of hours.  There were no reported injuries.  Fire officials state that the cause of the fire is has been determined to be electrical in nature, and occurred in the first floor ceiling of one of the units.  The fire spread to a second floor closet which opened up to a large void giving the fire a chance to travel throughout the structure.  The fire was investigated by the Webster FD, the Webster PD, and the State Fire Marshals Office.

The fire displaced seven residents, and a contingent from the American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist those residents.  Fire departments that assisted at the scene were the Dudley FD, the Oxford FD, the Southbridge FD and the Douglas FD.  The East Thompson VFD and the Community Fire Company, both from Connecticut, covered the empty Webster Fire Headquarters.

More photos. Captions above pertinent groups.

Webster Ladder 2 operates at the rear of the building.  Capt. Paul Brinkley on aerial ladder ventilating windows:

Dudley firefighters attack the fire from the 2nd floor:

Dudley firefighter Chet Moroz (l) and Webster Rescue Squad member Bill Gendreau assist Capt. Brinkley with ventilation at the rear of the building:

Operations in front of the building:

More photos follow.

WEBSTER - “I enjoyed every minute of it,“ said Irene Martel after she was lauded by town and state officials for her nearly 50 years of service to the Town of Webster. “We had a good town hall.”

And in her honor, the Town Hall now has an Irene A. Martel Conference Room.

Ms. Martel was officially honored on Wednesday, March 7, for her many years of service, starting as a clerk in the Assessor's Office in 1963, then as the Town Assessor from 1972 until 1984, and finally as Webster's first selectwoman from 1982 to 1990 and again from 1992 to 2010.

Webster’s first Selectwoman Irene Martel is seated, and standing (l to r)
are Town Administrator John McAuliffe and Selectmen Deb Keefe,
Mark Dowgiewicz and Don Bourque. More photos follow.

Town Administrator John McAuliffe introduced her as the Iron Lady, like Margaret Thatcher. “You could always count on her,” he said, “and she always worried about the little guy.”

Mr. McAuliffe then read a Proclamation from the US Senate signed by Senator Scott Brown, recognizing her “nearly five decades of exceptional service” to the Town.

Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Donald Bourque read a citation from the Massachusetts State Senate, recognizing the new Irene Martel meeting room. State Representative Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) read a citation from the Massachusetts House on behalf of Representative Kevin Kuros, who could not attend due to obligations at the State House.

Next, Webster selectmen gave Ms. Martel a plaque honoring her years of dedicated service to Webster. “This is heavy,” she said. “I can tell I'm getting old,” though words and actions belied her 87 years.

The final and best part of the ceremony was the unveiling of a stately portrait of Ms. Martel, painted by Oxford artist W. J. Yacino.

It was a fitting tribute to an Iron Lady.

Members of the Highway Department completely refurbished the conference room, which was the old Selectmen's meeting room. They boxed in exposed pipes, painted the walls, and laid new carpet. The room is furnished with a beautiful wood conference table and black leather chairs.

Town hall workers who orchestrated the tribute include Town Accountant Pam Regis, Tax Collector Mary Ann McGeary, Treasurer Linda Slota, Assessor Marc Becker, Town Clerk Robert Craver, and Town Administrator John McAuliffe.

To all users of the Webster Water Department 
located in Webster, Massachusetts

This is an important notice - please have it translated for anyone who does not understand English.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants to ensure the safety of the water supply.

On March 8, 2012 our water system was notified that a water sample collected on March 6, 2012 from Well #3 (Bigelow Road) tested positive for E.coli, which is a fecal indicator. Fecal indicators are used to detect ground water sources that may be susceptible to fecal contamination which may contain harmful viruses or bacteria. When we learned of the fecal positive sample, THE WELL WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN OFFLINE.

The water delivered to your taps through the distribution system is disinfected with chlorine to kill viruses and bacteria, including E.coli. It is important to note that treated samples collected in the distribution system did NOT detect any fecal contaminants.

This source is one of seven active sources that supplies drinking water to our system. Even though none of the chlorinated samples tested positive for E.coli, our chlorine disinfection system at this source has not been certified by MassDEP as 4-log compliant for 99.99% virus inactivation. In accordance with the new federal Ground Water Rule (GWR) requirements, we are notifying you of the situation and conducting additional sampling to evaluate the extent of potential fecal contamination and will take further actions as necessary.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

This is not an emergency, you do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions at this time.

• The USEPA requires us to provide you with this notice and the following information on fecal indicators, even though the well with the fecal indicator is no longer in use: “Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.” These symptoms can also be caused by issues unrelated to drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, or, if you have specific health concerns, you may want to discuss such concerns with your doctor. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or online at http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/pathogens.cfm.

• Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and Businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

We continue to maintain chlorine levels throughout our system and monitor for the presence of fecal contaminants in the sources and distribution system to ensure the safety of the water supply. The well which was taken offline for further evaluation has undergone repeat testing and evaluation to determine if the current level of treatment is adequate. Repeat testing was negative for coliform and E.coli and the well was put back online on Saturday 3/10/2012.

We are in contact with MassDEP during this process who will evaluate the effectiveness of the steps taken and determine if any further action is required. If necessary, you will be notified again if you need to take any corrective actions. This notice does not affect persons using private drinking water wells.

For more information and further updates, please contact Kevin Esposito, Superintendent at 508-949-3861 or visit www.webster-ma.gov/Water_Department.

WEBSTER - Shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 10th, the dispatcher at Webster Emergency Control witnessed the 911 lines start lighting up like a Christmas tree. As the dispatcher started fielding the calls, he was advised of a very serious accident on Route 12 directly in front of the K-Mart shopping plaza. Many callers reported that there were several people injured. Webster Emergency Control "leaned on the tones" and dispatched the appropriate police, fire, rescue, and EMS units.

As police arrived on the scene, they found the results of a very violent, high speed collision between two cars. The officers on scene began to check on the well-being of those who were involved, and reported back to Control that there were five persons on scene who were in need of medical attention. Additionally, one driver was still pinned in his vehicle and would need to be extricated. They also found an extensive debris field, as the involved vehicles had come to rest some 150-200 feet apart. One of the vehicles, a Jaguar sedan, reportedly rolled over three times. Police were forced to shut down a section of Route 12, and traffic was detoured over Old Worcester Road.

Medical personnel from Webster EMS were the next to arrive on scene and they began triaging the involved parties. Four of the victims were easily accessible and they were quickly assessed, treated on scene, and transported to the hospital. Webster EMS resources were quickly overwhelmed, so mutual aid ambulances were requested from the Oxford and Dudley fire departments. Some of the Webster EMS personnel remained on scene to stabilize the last patient who was trapped inside his overturned car.

The Webster Rescue Squad and Fire Department arrived on scene shortly after EMS and immediately went to work trying to free the lone occupant of the overturned Jaguar. Firefighters stretched a hoseline to protect the rescue operation. Steam and smoke rose from the engine compartment, as spilled vehicle fluids came in contact with the hot engine. Rescue Squad members began the delicate operation of actually removing the car from the patient. The driver’s ankle had been entirely encased in a "sock" of vehicle metal, plastic, and insulation as a result of the accident. Painstaking care had to be taken as rescue personnel used hydraulic rescue tools as well as hand tools to peel away layers of metal and plastic. Finally, after a lengthy operation, the driver was freed and removed from the car.

He was taken to a waiting ambulance and transported to Memorial Beach where the New England Life Flight medivac helicopter was waiting. The patient was then flown to UMASS Hospital – University Campus in Worcester for definitive care. The driver received substantial injuries, but his condition was not immediately known.

The accident is currently under investigation by members of the Webster Police Department.

More photos:

A Webster man was arrested on Sunday afternoon for assault charges after a foot pursuit on East Main Street.

According to Webster Police approximately 5:30pm the police department received a call reporting a fight at the Walgreens on East Main Street. Before Officers arrived, the caller reported that suspect had pulled out a handgun and threatened her boyfriend in front of the store and fled the area on foot towards the heavily populated Price Chopper strip mall parking lot.

Webster Officer Aaron Suss initially located the suspect, identified as Francisco Sanabria, of 118 Main Street, Webster near one of the lot’s businesses. Sanabria fled when approached and led officers on a brief foot chase through the busy parking lot until he was able to be tackeled by Officer Patrick Perry and Michael Lee.

Sanabria was combative when the officers tried to take him into custody, needing to be subdued with a taser. The firearm was not located on him or in the surrounding area after an initial search.

After Sanabria was arrested a man and his wife reported they witnessed the suspect pull the gun out and point it at the victim who was only a few feet away from them. The couple reported they were at the Walgreen’s Redbox trying to rent a movie and observed the incident.

After an investigation by Detective Gordon Wentworth Sanabria later gave a statement saying that the incident stemmed from an incident almost two weeks prior involving the victim insulting Sanabria’s girlfriend. Sanabria also reported that the handgun involved was actually a pellet gun which he buried in the woods between the CVS and Walgreens.

Officer Bruce Hamm and Suss were able to locate the buried gun, which turned out to be a pellet gun, after a search with Webster Police K9 "Radar". Sanabria was held at the Webster Police Department on $500.00 bail. He was arraigned Monday morning on charges of Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Assault, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Person, and Disturbing the Peace.

The highway department will add bright yellow reflective materials to signs at the Gore Road (Rt. 16) intersections with Douglas Road and Lower Gore Road.

Residents of 3 Douglas Road lodged a complaint that these intersections present serious safely concerns, and expressed their desire to change the layout of the intersection of Lower Gore Road to make it “Entrance Only.”

Police Chief Timothy J. Bent reported that there has been an average of six accidents per year at the Lower Gore intersection. There were two accidents there in recent weeks; both were the result of operator error, not due to any flaw in the road or intersection construction or layout, according to Highway Superintendent Kenneth Pizzetti.

Mr. Pizzetti stated that the intersection is under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Transportation, and that he would contact them to research changing the configuration of the intersection.

Chief Bent also said he would deploy the radar trailer to the area to monitor traffic.

The public safety committee, which met on Wednesday (March 7), also discussed traffic congestion on Whitcomb Street due to vehicles parking on both sides of the street.

Chief Bent reported that there are “No Parking” signs from East Main Street to the Cutler Street intersection, but none on the remainder of the street. The committee voted to post the remainder of Whitcomb Street with “No Parking” signs. They will notify Monsignor Czarnecki of St. Joseph Basilica that parking will be allowed during funerals.

The committee plans to research even-odd parking on all one-way streets in the town to correspond to the even-odd months in the calendar year.

In other business, Chief Bent voiced concerns with parking on Cudworth Road near Powerhouse Gym. The committee will write a letter to the Gym notifying them of the problem.

Ted Avlas of the School Department reviewed parking plans for the upcoming renovation/construction of the new Park Avenue Elementary School. The entire area will be reconfigured so that teachers and others will not have to park on Park Avenue.

Chief Bent also reported that 13 street lights on Main Street are malfunctioning. The Office of Community Development is responsible for the lights.

To all users of the Webster Water Department 
located in Webster, Massachusetts

This is an important notice - please have it translated for anyone who does not understand English.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants to ensure the safety of the water supply.

On March 8, 2012 our water system was notified that a water sample collected on March 6, 2012 from Well #3 (Bigelow Road) tested positive for E.coli, which is a fecal indicator. Fecal indicators are used to detect ground water sources that may be susceptible to fecal contamination which may contain harmful viruses or bacteria. When we learned of the fecal positive sample, THE WELL WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN OFFLINE.

The water delivered to your taps through the distribution system is disinfected with chlorine to kill viruses and bacteria, including E.coli. It is important to note that treated samples collected in the distribution system did NOT detect any fecal contaminants.

This source is one of seven active sources that supplies drinking water to our system. Even though none of the chlorinated samples tested positive for E.coli, our chlorine disinfection system at this source has not been certified by MassDEP as 4-log compliant for 99.99% virus inactivation. In accordance with the new federal Ground Water Rule (GWR) requirements, we are notifying you of the situation and conducting additional sampling to evaluate the extent of potential fecal contamination and will take further actions as necessary.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

This is not an emergency, you do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions at this time.

· The USEPA requires us to provide you with this notice and the following information on fecal indicators, even though the well with the fecal indicator is no longer in use: “Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.” These symptoms can also be caused by issues unrelated to drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, or, if you have specific health concerns, you may want to discuss such concerns with your doctor. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or online at http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/pathogens.cfm.

· Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and Businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

We continue to maintain chlorine levels throughout our system and monitor for the presence of fecal contaminants in the sources and distribution system to ensure the safety of the water supply. The well will remain offline for further evaluation. Our system is undergoing repeat testing and evaluation to determine if the current level of treatment is adequate or if additional corrective actions are necessary to reduce the risk of potential fecal contamination in our drinking water supply.

We are in contact with MassDEP during this process who will evaluate the effectiveness of the steps taken and determine if any further action is required. If necessary, you will be notified again if you need to take any corrective actions. This notice does not affect persons using private drinking water wells.

For more information and further updates, please contact Kevin Esposito, Superintendent at 508-949-3861 or visit www.webster-ma.gov/Water_Department.