Nuisance properties also on the agenda

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER -   Webster Board of Health Agent Cathleen Liberty is concerned that the new laws and regulations regarding the legalization of medical marijuana in Massachusetts are still too convoluted. The state has yet to issue final regulations for possession of medical marijuana and the registration of up to 35 treatment centers. Up to five dispensaries could be located in Worcester County. The board discussed the issue at its meeting on Monday.

The board also questioned how existing tobacco rules may apply to marijuana usage, such as where it can be smoked or ingested, sold, dispensed, and contained. The key word at this point is “may.”

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER - Two dangerous dog hearings were held during the Board of Selectmen Meeting on Monday February 4, due to injuries sustained by three residents in town. On November 20, 2012, Kim Moberg was attacked while running when a dog owned by Sean and Amy hazard broke its leash and escaped through a fence. Moberg, who was bitten several times, spent a week in the hospital and contracted a bone infection due to the bites. She is also undergoing therapy for her left hand. Moberg stated that she has run by the home on her usual route for the last eighteen months. Every time she has run by the home in the last six months, the dog barks “viciously.”

WEBSTER --The Webster Cultural Council has announced the awarded grants for the year 2013.

A total of $6600 has been approved, pending final approval from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in March.

The council has undergone a renovation, is looking for additional members, and will be accepting grant proposals again in August of 2013 for the following year.  Any art programs, humanities, science and related areas that benefit the community of Webster will be considered.  It is the effort of local volunteers to this town committee that makes this program work.

BOSTON – Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, announced today that the Webster Public Schools has been awarded a 21^st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) competitive grant through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The $55,707 grant will enable the creation of a CCLC Demonstration Site at the Webster Middle School.

“These funds will go a long way to help Webster students to achieve success and ultimately boost learning outcomes in the district,” said Sen. Moore. “I applaud the faculty and staff of the Webster Public Schools for their hard work and foresight in applying for this grant,” he continued.

The purpose of the Massachusetts 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Exemplary Program is to expand and enhance the mentoring capacity of Community Learning Centers that operate during out-of-school hours. Programs provide students with academic enrichment opportunities along with other activities designed to complement the students' school-day programs. Community Learning Centers may offer literacy and related educational development to families of students participating in the 21^st CCLC programs.

Friday, 10-1, at Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard 

Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard, 340 Thompson Road in Webster, invites the local community on Friday, February 1 to free blood pressure screenings in its main lobby from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will help celebrate National Go Red Day, with information on cardiac health, nutrition and exercise. In the event of inclement weather, event will be postponed.

and regional dispatching, Webster BOS meeting

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER – At its January 22 meeting, the board unanimously accepted the application for a full liquor license at Eastern Pearl Restaurant at 290 Main Street. The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission will render final judgment for the license. Board Vice Chair Deborah Keefe clarified to the owners that the license is for the building and not them personally.

Ed Johns approached the board in regard to the donation of a storage shed for the Slater Street field. Johns, a board member of the Webster Lassie League is seeking donations from local businesses for the project. Bay Path School will be erecting the shed once the project has the go ahead. The board will need a strict value of the project before accepting the shed as a gift to the town. Mr. Johns has previously worked on three other similar projects and looks forward to having this one come to fruition.

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.

6^th Annual Webster Lake Ice-Out Contest
Einstein will take to the ice Jan. 27

Einstein is back! The Webster Lake Association is sponsoring its 6^th annual Ice-Out contest. Proceeds will benefit the Webster Lake Association and the Webster Education Foundation.

Einstein will be placed in Lakeview Marine Cove on Sunday, January 27^th at noon. There is a forty pound weight attached to him. When the ice melts enough for the weight to drop into the water an attached rope will set off the timer. The winners will be determined by whoever guesses closest to the exact month, date, hour, and minute. Tickets are $5.00 and entrants must be 18 years old. This year the prize money is to be a total of $4,000.

Supt Malkas, Asst Supt. Avlas, DPW's Pizetti weigh in

by Steev Riccardo
Patriot staff

WEBSTER – Today Webster was one of very few school districts in the area to call a snow delay; last week it was the only one that didn't cancel or delay, and that caused a bit of an uproar with town residents, mostly parents, on the Webster public schools’ Facebook page.

Webster Superintendent of Schools Barbara Malkas, who lives in Worcester, relies on input from Assistant Superintendent Ted Avlas and the Webster Highway Department before making her final decision on whether or not school should be cancelled.

Date:  Thursday January 17, 2013
Location:  14 Dresser St.

Particulars:   Shortly before 11 AM on Thursday January 17^th, Webster firefighters responded to a reported structure fire on Dresser Street.  Webster Police Officer Leonard Gevry was amongst the first to arrive on scene and found fire venting from a second floor window of the three-story wood frame multi-family dwelling located at 14 Dresser Street.  He reported his findings to incoming fire department units by radio.

While Webster firefighters arrived on scene and began to stretch hoselines to get to the seat of the fire on the second floor, Officer Gevry pulled out a nearby garden hose and trained the small stream into the involved window from outside the building.  This apparently slowed the progress of the rapidly moving fire, allowing interior firefighters to quickly gain access to the room that was on fire.