Finish season at 14-8

by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The fourth-seeded Oxford Pirates saw their season end this past Tuesday (February 26) with a 72-60 loss to the 13th- seeded Gardner Wildcats in Division 2 district playoff action.

Coming off a semi-finals loss to Quaboag after getting their first win at the Clark Tournament in four years, the Pirates had been playing really good basketball. Unfortunately they went up against a team which, despite its 8-12 record, plays a much tougher schedule, and they were outmatched.

Huberdault drops 27 in win

by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – The short-handed Bartlett Indians went on an 18-2 run to open the third quarter and cruised to an 86-66 win over the Tyngsboro Tigers in the opening round of the Central Mass Division 2 district playoffs Tuesday night at Bartlett.

The Indians’ team, hit by a bout of the flu, was six players short, including starting center Jacob Mailloux and sixth man Neil Flanigan.  Still, Indians’ coach Tony Paranto was able to use his bench effectively and rely on the leaders in his starting lineup, to advance to a semi-final game vs. perennial Central Mass power St. Bernard’s of Fitchburg.

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.  

Bay Path funding approved

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

Bay Path appropriation and water quality control were the big issues voted on during the Webster Special Town Meeting on Monday, February 25 in the Bartlett School Auditorium.  Twenty-seven of the twenty-eight articles on the warrant all passed unanimously. Article 27 was passed over for review.

Article 2 was for town approval of the authorization of Bay Path’s $73,722,405 for expansions and renovations to the school. This would expand the useful life of the school for at least fifty more years. The cost to the average taxpayer in Webster would be a high of $33.00 per year with an average of $25.00 per year for thirty years. Finance Committee Michael Finemore wanted to clarify that this vote was for the appropriation portion of the project. The debt exclusion vote, which will secure the funding, will be held on March 11. The article passed unanimously.

Article 25 was a recommendation for the transfer of excess borrowed funds from capital projects to help fund the mandatory upgrades to the corrosion control systems at various water pump stations. The total amount of $290,000 is to come from six other projects that have balances of excess funds available for transfer authorized under MGL Chapter 44, subsection 20.

Cracks in floors and walls in high school an issue

By Becky Harvey
Patriot coorespondent

Oxford - The New Director of Student Services of the Oxford Schools, Ms. Trish Susen, graced the committee with her presence at the school committee meeting this past Monday night.
She presented a “CPR” or Coordinated Program Review.  This is her 26^th preparation of such a report. Areas of compliance/non-compliance are reviewed by the government.  Oxford has received a commendation for its technology program.  Susen said “we are light years ahead of so many other” districts.  A history with the progression from prior reports is available on the school’s website.  These in depth reviews include such things as interviews with parents and students, as well as review of the schools and programs.  A corrective action plan was developed by Susen and has been made available for public review.  The Title One and ESL plans are not yet finalized.  This is an ongoing process that involves much follow-up and review.  “The ability to be in 100% compliance is very, very difficult,” according to Susen.  There is “nothing glaring, nothing huge” about which Oxford is non-compliant.

Worters comes in third in 1000 meters

Text and photos By Steev Riccardo    

BOSTON – Oxford High School senior track star Emily Dawidczyk shone at the MIAA All-State meet this past Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Arena in Boston, winning both the 55-meter hurdles and the long jump.

Dawidczyk recorded an 8.29 in the 55-meter hurdles and a personal best 17’ 9 1/2” in the long jump in a dazzling effort.

“I wasn't expecting two wins at all,” said Dawidczyk. “It felt really good to win the hurdles after hitting two last week. Right before my race I really had to focus in and pump myself up, I was nervous that I'd hit a hurdle again. Getting back in the 8.2 range definitely meant a lot, it makes me feel a little more confident going into New England's.”

four local teams to compete

by Steev Riccardo

The District playoff schedule was released on Saturday and all three boys teams will play at least one playoff game at home this Tuesday night, while the Shepherd Hill girls will be hitting the road on Friday.  

The Oxford Pirates (13-7), who progressed as the season went on, and are now playing their best basketball, earned the #4 seed in Division 2 and will host the Gardner Wildcats (8-12) on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. If the Pirates win they would play the winner of the Auburn-Blackstone Millville game on Thursday, a game which would also be played at Oxford High School, due to their high seed.

District playoffs next

by Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER –Few people gave the Oxford Pirates any chance at all in their semi-final Clark Tournament match-up with the highly ranked Quaboag Cougars, but the Pirates gave a valiant effort and made it interesting for about three quarters before falling 64-49 on Tuesday evening, February 19.

Pirates’ senior co-captain Tyler Barrie hit an incredible shot from beyond half court at the buzzer making it 11-10 Cougars after an exciting opening quarter.

Bay Path debt exclusion also addressed.

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER - The Webster Board of Selectmen appointed two new members to the Planning Board during their meeting on Monday, February 19. Thomas Klebart and Denise N. Moberg came forward to give their time and experience for the benefit of the town. Klebart previously served two years as a selectman, 12 years on the Board of Finance, 20 years on the Land Trust, where he also served as President and Treasurer for that committee, while living in New Hartford, Connecticut. He has maintained a home in Webster and has recently moved back to town.

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – Oxford High School senior class president Lisa Iudiciani has done just about everything you can do in high school, all while maintaining outstanding grades and a top-three ranking in her class for academics.

Ludiciani moved to Oxford in the fifth grade and began attending Oxford Middle School. Upon completing middle school, she started an illustrious high school career when she was elected president of her class as a freshman, a title she would hold for all four years.