The "Common Sense" of Protocol, Process, Procedure, and Principle.

The following correspondence was sent to a resident in response to his concerns pertaining to an issue recently addressed at a meeting of the Board of Selectmen, as articulated in a post on his site titled Common sense goes on vacation. This resident raised some valid concerns that warrant explanation and clarification. I commend him for taking the time to raise this issue. My correspondence to him was as follows:

Wally, I thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the issue outlined in your post - Common Sense goes on vacation. Certainly, you raise some issues worthy of consideration by all and I am grateful that you chose to raise them; I do hope however that you will take no offense as I (responding solely as an individual member of the Board) take an opportunity to share some thoughts based upon facts, as opposed to speculation. I do recognize the limitations that must exist when one hasn't had the opportunity to attend a public meeting specific to a particular subject matter, nor watch it via cable access, as that can certainly serve to limits one's perspective of the overall issue. Far too many of us are limited in our ability to become more informed via active participation and are thus forced to rely upon the limitations inherent in press reports.

Tantasqua Education Association Helping Sturbridge Seniors! (REAS Foundation Media Release)

On Thursday, December 23rd, 2010, Mr. Aaron Berthiaume, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee for the Tantasqua Educators’ Association, presented the Sturbridge REAS (Residential Energy Assistance For Seniors) Foundation with a $375.00 donation on behalf of the Tantasqua Junior and Senior High Schools’ staff. This donation will be applied toward the 1K challenge as part of this year’s REAS Foundation fundraising efforts.

In the photo, Mr. Berthiaume is presenting the donation to Detective Sergeant Mark Saloio of the Sturbridge Police Department. Sergeant Saloio is the Chief Community Outreach Officer for the Foundation. The donation was presented by Mr. Berthiaume at the Sturbridge Police Department.

Media Release from the Town Administrator & the Town of Sturbridge

Media Release from the Town Administrator & the Town of Sturbridge,

STURBRIDGE – A recent spate of solicitations for water testing services has no relation to the Town’s water treatment or distribution system, according to Town Administrator Shaun A. Suhoski.

The Town’s water project manager, Veolia Water NA, has received several telephone inquiries from residents that were solicited to purchase water quality testing services. Mr. Suhoski noted that the most recent water quality tests of the municipal supply were completed on December 8, 2010 and achieved 100 percent compliance with Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection and U.S. EPA standards.

Persons with questions concerning the Town’s water supply and distribution system may contact Veolia at 508-347-2513.

A Video Tribute to my Brothers, and all of those in Public Safety who serve us.

On 3 December 1999, six Worcester Firefighters make the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their fellow man.

1813 hours: 03 December 1999 Box 1438 - Franklin and Arctic Street for 236 Franklin Street is struck

1814 hours: Engine One reports Heavy Smoke Showing

1817 hours: Car 3 strikes a Second Alarm

1824 hours: Reports received of two civilians possibly inside the building

1840 hours (approximate): Third Alarm Struck

1852 hours (approximate): Reports of trapped Firefighers received; Fourth Alarm Struck

1936 hours (approximate): Fifth Alarm Struck

1958 hours: All personnel ordered to evacuate the building.

After all is said and done, 6 Heroes sacrifice their lives in an initial rescue attempt for people they have never met.

1st Annual Winter Tree Scavenger Hunt (on behalf of the Sturbridge Conservation Commission)

The Sturbridge Conservation Commission is pleased to announce the 1st Annual Winter Tree Scavenger Hunt.

The object of the hunt is to find all 14 decorated trees, take your photo with each tree and email all photos to the Conservation Commission between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

All participants (teams or individuals) will receive a certificate of participation.

Submit photos with all 14 decorated trees to Sturbridgetreehunt@hotmail.com  which will be entered into a drawing for the GRAND Prize of the Gift Certificate Tree.

Experience and value: Priceless and Fun

What’s so great about it?

• Free family event that everyone can enjoy at their own pace
• People are introduced to Open Space 
• Something fun and unique to promote in Town 
• Basically a win-win-win

Hint: The scavenger hunt will take place at the Hein’s Conservation Land and Leadmine Mountain Conservation Land (at the old Camp Robinson Crusoe)…