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.”

13-year-old Wojnar commended for aiding choking friend

By Charles Kelleher Harris
Patriot Correspondent

DUDLEY- Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting opened with a heartwarming story of heroism.

Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski came before the board to present a special certificate of appreciation to 13-year-old Joseph Wojnar.

Recently, during a church retreat at Saint Louis Church, Wojnar and friend Ryan Finton, both 7th graders at Dudley Middle School, were joking around and eating M&Ms.

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.

Saturday hours suspended

by Steev Riccardo

DUDLEY – Nancy Barta-Norton has stepped down from her position as Director of the Pearle M. Crawfold  Memorial Library. She was chosen for the position last August, following the June departure of Matt Hall L. Hall, who had served as director for three years.

Ms. Barta-Norton, of Cranston, Rhode Island, was a lead librarian at Johnson & Wales University before the Dudley library trustees picked her from among 12 applicants.

by Charles Kelleher Harris
Patriot correspondent

OXFORD- The Board of Selectmen chose to listen to citizens complaints instead of the professional opinions of the Police Chief and the Department of Public Works Director Tuesday night, January. 29.

Originally William and Erica Byrne, of 39 Walnut Street, contacted the Board of Selectmen to request that a stop sign be placed at the intersection of Walnut and Cypress Streets.

“Our concern is speed on this road,” said William Byrne, “We would not like an accident on this road.”

by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – The Bartlett Indians overcame a five-point halftime deficit and went on to defeat the David Prouty Panthers 35-27 in Southern Worcester League girls basketball action last Friday (February 1) night at the Bartlett gym.

Spurred by freshman guard Caroline James, who had six of her nine points during a third-quarter surge, the Indians were able to pick up their third victory of the season.

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD- The Oxford High unified Special Olympics basketball team will be competing this coming Sunday, February 10, in a qualifying event in Weston in preparation for the Special Olympics, which will take place at Clark University in Worcester on March 9 and 10.

The team practiced this past Saturday at Oxford High School in uniform to get ready for the qualifier.

Oxford High School Principal Kevin Wells, who also coaches the team said, “I had an older brother who had Down Syndrome and my masters degree is in Special Education; I have always had a passion for students with learning disabilities, as well as with regular education kids.”

by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – The Bartlett Indians were victimized by nine 3-pointers and fell to the Auburn Rockets 62-56 on Tuesday night, Jan. 29, in a Southern Worcester County League game at Bartlett High School.

The Rockets opened a 12-3 lead in the opening minutes of the game before senior co-captain Akeem Belnavis connected on a pair of 3-pointers to get the Indians within three points.

Senior co-captain Matt Huberdault hit a deep 3-point shot at the buzzer making it 21-21 after the opening quarter in a game that was highly contested throughout.

DUDLEY - Nomination papers for the June 10 Annual Town Election will be available in the town clerk's office as of February 4. Following is a list of positions up for election, with the current incumbent in each office.

OFFICES TO BE ELECTED

ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION

JUNE 10, 2013