Heins Farm Trails Dedication

The Sturbridge Trails Committee is hosting a Family Fun Day and Trails Dedication on June 5th at the Heins Farm Conservation Area. Please see the brochure (right sidebar) and below itinerary as there are a number of fun and educational things planned.

12:00 Event Opens

12:15 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Heins Kiosk

Adopt a Trail Program

Hello

Hope this finds everyone healthy and happy.

As we are at the final stages of the Town-wide "Adopt-a-Trail program" event for May 16th, your committed response would be greatly appreciated. A quick email to let us know if you are participating and what you would be interested in doing/donating etc... This is a one day event from 9-3. Feel free to come for 10 minutes or all day...I have attached a release form [here] for those of you who would like to clean the Trail.

Agenda for the day.

Trail Clean-up 9-12 - (during Clean -up there will be activities for the younger groups...)
10:30 - Pat Lalli, Children's Librian will be doing a Trail Book Walk
12:00 - Bagged lunch provided by Rovezzi's Restaurant to all volunteers pre-registered (release forms)
12:30 - The Hoy Family "Tree dedication".
1:00 - State Representatives
2:00 - DCR will be doing a Forest Stewardship Walk

Followed by clean-up from the event

*waiting on the music in the field...

With us working together as a team we can make changes in our Community.

Regards,

Leslie

Why the New Look?

Many have asked about the new look of Sturbridge Political Watch as well as some of the new features, which allow for reader reactions via click boxes. Simply stated, I was in the mood for a change as the previous look (in one fashion or another) was nearly 3 years old. Thus, I opted to go with a completely different page look that is...well, simpler.

An added benefit is that it also simplifies viewing from different Windows and MAC platforms, as well as allowing for a more consistent look via the different screen sizes and resolutions now available.

Sturbridge Cub Scout Color Guard called to duty at Fenway Park

Sturbridge Cub Scout Pack 161 will proudly be the Color Guard for the April 25th, 2010 Red Sox game versus the Baltimore Oriels at Fenway Park. Representing Pack 161 will be Noah Jacob, Liam Kent, Ryan Bonja, Andrew Turley, Kaspar Mazieka, Zackary Fitzgibbon, and leaders Erin Perrault, Jeff Bonja, and Chris Mazieka.

This year Pack 161 helped collect and distribute food in cooperation with the REAS foundation to seniors in need during the holiday season. The boys and leaders are looking forward to representing their pack and their community in such a honorable capacity.

A story that need never have been written!

By now, all too many of us are aware of the tragic death of Phoebe Prince - a 15-year old student at South Hadley High School. Phoebe's death was not an accident, nor was it precipitated by some incurable illness that went undetected by the medical community. Her death was the result of relentless name-calling by classmates using some of the most vulgar and demeaning verbiage they could muster. In so doing, the actions of these individuals created an intolerable environment wherein Phoebe saw no respite other than suicide.

Part of Phoebe's story was reported in the April 9th edition of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. It is a heartbreaking tale that has left an incredible level of sadness within my soul. Her struggles are as horrifying as they are depressing and the events leading to her death defy one's ability to simply move on and forget.

Girl Scout Drive: Cans for Chickens

Girl Scout Troop 11010 needs your help to help a village in Africa.

We are collecting everything that is redeemable. We even need your water bottles!!!!

With the money we collect we will be able to buy chickens and goats for some very needy families! $5 will buy a chicken $30 will buy a goat.

Please help us help others by saving your redeemables and dropping them off at St Annes - St Patricks Parish center parking lot on May 8th from 9am to 12 noon.

If you need someone to come pick them up please call Chris Ellithorpe at 508-347-7734.

Thank you!

Emily

Grand Trunk Trail Construction

These are the latest photos (right sidebar) by Tom Chamberland of the construction on about one mile of the Grand Trunk Trail in Sturbridge from the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) Wallace Road Parking lot to the Ed Calcutt Bridge. This section was made possible by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Town of Sturbridge, the USACE, Opacum Land Trust, and a multitude of volunteers through the years.

Later this year we hope to start on the west side of the Ed Calcutt Bridge and bring the trail out to almost I-84/Old Rt-15 (near the former Hebert's Candy) with help from the Federal Transportation Enhancements program, the Town of Sturbridge, the USACE, private land owners and volunteers. By the end of the summer the 60-mile east-west trail from Franklin to Palmer will be about 17% off-road and universally accessible.

Almost 80% of the proposed Titanic Rail Trail is already under the control of cooperating Federal, State or Town Governments or non-profits. Much of the trail on these lands is accessible in a natural condition. Several bridges, drainage and a universally accessible trail surface are still to be implemented.

You can read more about the Titanic Rail Trail at our website: www.titanicrailtrail.org

How can you help?

A yearly membership to the Grand Trunk Trail Blazers is only $10 and you get 10% off parts, clothing and accessories at two different bike shops near the trail. A family membership is just $20.

The Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee and the French River Connection are both holding bike raffles this season. More info is available at www.franklinrailtrail.org/news.html and www.frenchriverconnection.org

This is the time of year for volunteer trail work days. You can check our website for a work project near you.

Cheers,
Pat McGarrah

My Thanks

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who came to the polls on April 12th and supported my re-election. It has been a privilege to serve the townspeople of Sturbridge and I look forward to continuing in this capacity for years to come. I love the Town of Sturbridge and its people and I thank you for the privilege of continuing to serve you as your Town Clerk.

There are so many people that I would like to thank for their part in my re-election. From my many “advisors”, to the people who allowed me to place campaign signs in their yards, to the people who wrote wonderful letters to the editor endorsing my candidacy, to those who made hundreds of phone calls, and especially to the voters of this wonderful town, who have shown faith in me to do the job I am entrusted to do. I will continue to do so lawfully with commitment and integrity.

I thank you all so very much,
Sincerely,
Lorraine Murawski, MMC/CMMC
Town Clerk

Thank You

Dear Sturbridge Residents

I’d like to thank all the Sturbridge residents who took the time to come out to vote yesterday, and specifically those who made a point to write my name in for a seat on the Sturbridge School Committee. I appreciate their effort support, am proud to have been selected to represent a ‘new face’ for Sturbridge, and I look forward to beginning my three-year term right away.

As both a parent and a future educator, I believe that I can help the children of Sturbridge receive a better, more meaningful education. I welcome thoughts, suggestions and concerns regarding the current or future status of the schooling of our children.

Respectfully,

Karin Rokicki

Sturbridge

With Gratitude

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the many Sturbridge voters who graced me with the honor of their vote this past Monday for the 2-year seat on the ZBA. My family and I are moved and humbled by such generous support.

I recognize the responsibility attending the trust that voters have extended me and I pledge to serve in a manner befitting of that trust. Equally, I understand that as a member of quasi-judicial body operating under Massachusetts General Laws, I have an obligation to execute my duties objectively, judiciously, and fairly, void of political ideologies. To that end, I shall endeavor always to serve the residents of Sturbridge with pride and distinction.

Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude for the honor and privilege that Sturbridge voters have entrusted me with, as I humbly begin my service on your behalf.

Respectfully,

Maryann Thorpe
Fiskdale

The Results

Selectman

Mary Dowling - 1039
James Ehrhard - 764

Town Clerk

Lorraine Murawski - 1192
Susan Murphy - 613

Zoning Board of Appeals (3-year seat)

Tom Creedon - 836
Mike Young - 780

Zoning Board of Appeals (2-year seat)

Maryann Thorpe - 1046
Don Fairbrother - 456

Sturbridge School Committee (Write-in Campaign)

Karin Rokicki - 102
Other write-in candidates - insufficient number (below 10) to count

Congratulations to all for this exercise in democracy.

Karin Rokicki - Write-in Candidate for Sturbridge School Committee

Hi All:

First and foremost, I'd like to remind you to vote tomorrow! Secondly, I am asking that you write my name in for the election to Sturbridge School Committee. No candidate has come forward to fill this soon-to-be vacant seat.

Many of you are aware, but some are not, that I am currently a Junior in BayPath College's Acellerated One-Day program, pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. As the mother of a 1st grader, I know what schools need from the parent's perspective (safe schools, comprehensive education) and from the teacher's perspective (safe schools, comprehensive continuing education, sufficient salary, to name a few) and believe that I can help the children of Sturbridge receive a better education in the future.

With this in mind, please consider writing me in on tomorrow's ballot for Sturbridge School Committe, and please forward this email to all those whom you see fit. Thanks in advance for your support,

Karin Rokicki

Tom Creedon, Candidate for the Zoning Board of Appeals (3 year seat)

Dear Fellow Sturbridge Resident,

First of all, I would like to thank all the voters who signed my papers to place my name on the ballot for the open three-year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals. At the same time, I would like to thank the Democratic Party for endorsing my candidacy.

I have been a Sturbridge resident for 24 years and have had the privilege of serving on the Planning Board for 15 years. While on the Planning Board, I made every decision in what I felt was in the long-term best interest of the Town and its residents. At the time, Sturbridge enjoyed its largest employment and development growth in its history. It is a responsibility I took very seriously, both as a member and as Chairman for 5 years.

In the seven years I have been away from direct town service, I have been dismayed both by the emergence of special interests attempting to wrest control of the decision-making process and the lack of civility that has taken over the process.

Massachusetts General Law is very specific on the role of the Zoning Board as it decides Variances and Special Permits. The ZBA is a judicial board, not a forum to promote an agenda. Each application needs to be evaluated on the merits of the individual case and not on whether it is aligned with a special interest. If elected to the ZBA, I pledge to do what is in the best interest of the Town and all of its residents.

In addition to my serving on the Planning Board, I currently serve as an overseer to Old Sturbridge Village. I am married and our two sons attended public schools. One of them is presently a junior at Tantasqua, the other is a junior at Wesleyan University where he is a math major and plays on the basketball team. I have coached both basketball and baseball in Sturbridge and YMCA leagues. Prior to coming to Sturbridge, I served two years in the Peace Corps and graduated with honors from Bentley College as well as received a master’s degree in Engineering from UMass Amherst.

I am asking for you vote on Monday April 12th.

Kind Regards,

Thomas Creeden
Candidate for ZBA