Quaboag Current Reader Forum

Voters resoundingly reject school override petition

Citizen Kane — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:44:08 +0000

-NORTH BROOKFIELD –

By Ruth M. Lyon
Turley Publications Reporter

In just shy of two hours, 414 of this town’s 2,965 registered voted by a majority of more than six to one to reject a petition article seeking a $460,464 override for the purposes of funding the operating budget of the public schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1,2011. Thirteen voters, having sat through two hours of mostly polite bickering, abstained.
Moderator Eugene Caille, opening the meeting at 7 p.m. at the elementary school, reminded the audience that town meetings are “the purest form of democracy.” He asked those present to refrain from applause, and to respect the opinions of others.
As voters continued to file in, Caille insisted that all in attendance be seated, commenting that, in past years, voters at town meeting had reported feeling intimidated by people standing at the rear and along the sides of the room. “No voter should ever feel intimidated,” he said. By the time the meeting re-convened at 7:12, Town Clerk Sheila Buzzell said, 414 of the town’s 2965 registered voters had been checked in.
Following some discussion of parliamentary proceedings, the article having been read, finance committee chairman Robert Smith recounted, in brief, the deliberations of his committee regarding the school committee’s budget as submitted, and the school committee’s request in June for an override article on the June 17 warrant.
He continued, outlining his committee’s concerns for the town’s financial condition, and for further burdening taxpayers with an override “that will last forever”. He declared, as he had in the past, that a yes vote will add an additional $247.13 to the tax bills of owners of an average home. “$211,488 is the assessed value of an average property in North Brookfield according to the Department of Revenue,” he said.
He recounted the Monday night meeting between his board, the School committee and selectmen, moderated by Caille and held at the suggestion of school superintendent John Provost. After viewing a power point presentation by Provost and discussion by the officials and members of a parent association, all of the officials voted to support Provost’s proposal” he said. (See Quaboag Current, Thursday, August 18, 2011.)
That proposal would allow the town to continue the art, music, and athletic programs as in FY11, and re-hire an elementary librarian, contingent upon a vote of the teachers’ association to take one furlough day, at a cost of $17,300, with a matching amount from the town. “Dr. Provost has, in this plan saved the curriculum at a cost to the town of $17,300; an amount less than the potential cost of unemployment insurance for laid-off teachers.”
Acknowledging that the proposal, which included using $300,000 in FY 2013 school choice funds in FY 12, would allow no room for contingencies, he said his committee recommended the voters, reject the override petition vote. It is to our benefit and to the benefit of our children,” he said.
If the voters approved the override now, he said, the measure would require approved at another town meeting.
School committee chairman Brent Hildick, arguing against the use of the school choice funds, argued that the school is beginning the year with a 350,000 debt, with no assurance that the teachers will vote to accept a furlough day.
One speaker suggested that his trombone lessons and art instructions in school “never did me any good, if parents want their children to learn these things, let them take private lessons.”
Joseph Hollway asked to hear from the superintendent, who is not a registered voter in town, but who was present. He’s the boss at the school; I’d like to hear what he has to say,” he questioned.
Provost, asked to speak, spoke briefly and quietly. “This plan is not my ideal, but it is the best at this point. I’m not saying that what the school committee asks is not needed. My wish is for the best school opening possible under present circumstances, and I believe this plan is the best at this point.”
As the crowd grew restive and rhetoric flourished, Caille, saying, “Let’s not get a circus here, responded to numerous “move the question” demands, and asked that ballots be handed out and voting take place.
The meeting ended at 8:45; the final vote was 359 to 55.

East Brookfield Police Log

Citizen Kane — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:46:48 +0000

Arrest
Donald R. Boisvert Jr., 105 Mechanic St. Apt. 4, East Brookfield, MA Charges: Armed robbery, Armed & Masked Robbery, Armed assault to rob, Assault and Battery Dangerous weapon to wit knife. Threat to commit a crime (murder), Larceny over $250, Larceny from a building, Larceny from a person.

Monday, May 16
911 Medical emergency, Adams Rd., transported to Harrington
911 Hang-Up call, 631 Podunk Rd., spoken to
Wednesday, May 17
Cellular Larceny/theft/shoplifting, Harrington St., report taken
Phone Suspicious activity, Red Gable Rd., checked/secured
Thursday, May 19
Cellular Assist citizen W Main St., transported to St. Vs.
Friday, May 20
Phone Motor vehicle accident, Howe St., report taken
Cellular Animal call, E Main St., taken to family/guardian
Saturday, May 21
911 Medical emergency, Podunk Rd., taken/referred to other agency
Phone Complaint, Podunk Rd., taken/referred to other agency
Sunday, May 22
Cellular Assist citizen, services rendered
Monday, May 23
Initiated Assault, E Main St., services rendered
Initiated Motor vehicle stop, Route 5 Hwy., citation/warning issued
Initiated Motor vehicle stop, Rte. 9 Hwy/Mechanic St., citation/warning issued
Tuesday, May 24
Initiated Animal call, Doane Ave., checked/secured
Initiated MV Investigation,
Radio Complaint/MV operations, Rte. 5 Hwy., investigated
Cellular Fire, other, E Main St., investigated
Initiated Building check, E Main St., investigated
Initiated MV stop, Route 9 Hwy., citation/warning issued
Wednesday, May 25
Initiated Safety hazard, Rte. 49 Hwy., removed hazard
Initiated MV stop, Rte. 49 Hwy Adams Rd., citation/warning issued
Thursday, May 26
Initiated MV stop, Podunk Rd., citation/warning issued
Friday, May 27
Initiated MV stop, Flagg Rd./Hwy 49, citation/warning issued
Initiated MV stop, N Brookfield Rd., citation/warning issued
Phone Medical emergency, Dunn Brook Rd., transported to St. Vs
911 Robbery, N Main St., arrest (s) made
Saturday, May 28
Initiated Welfare check, Connie Mack Dr., vehicle towed
Initiated MV stop, Podunk Rd., citation/warning issued
Phone Complaint/MV operations, Rte. 8 Hwy, citation/warning issued
Initiated MV stop, E Main St., citation/warning issued
Sunday, May 29
Radio Larceny/theft/shoplifting, Podunk Rd., investigated
Phone Medical emergency Blaine Ave., transported to Harrington
Monday, May 30
Initiated Officer initiated, E Main St., protective custody
Tuesday, May 31
Phone Medical emergency, N Brookfield Rd. transported to St. Vs
Initiated Court, services rendered
Wednesday, June 1
Initiated MV stop, East Brookfield, citation/warning issued
911 Medical emergency Howe St., transported to UMass
911 Fire structure, Harrington Lane, extinguished
Thursday, June 2
Initiated Officer initiated, Harrington St., spoken to
Friday, June
Initiated MV stop, Blaine Ave., citation/warning issued
Initiated MV stop, Mechanic St., citation/warning issued
Initiated MV stop, Rte. 49 Hwy., citation/warning issued
Saturday, June 4
Phone Complaint Howe St., spoken to
Phone Assist other agency, Smithville Rd./Spencer, services rendered
Initiated MV stop, Rte. 9 Hwy., citation/warning issued
Phone MV stop, Connie Mack Dr., services rendered
Initiated MV stop, N Brookfield Rd., spoken to
Phone Disturbance, N Brookfield Rd., transferred call to C3
Sunday, June 5
Initiated Complaint/MV operation, Rte. 9 Hwy, Gone on arrival

Brookfield Police Logs

Citizen Kane — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:46:23 +0000

Arrests
May 30
Josue Gonzalez, 24, 286 Main St., Cherry Valley, MA was arrested for Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, Possess Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle and Refusing to identify himself.
Pholy Murphy, 23, 22 Pine Lane, Brookfield, MA was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
June 4
Jesse N. Gibbs, 31, 18 Willard Rd., Sturbridge, MA, was arrested for Domestic Assault and Battery and an outstanding warrant.
The following individuals were not arrested but will be summoned to court on the following charges:
June 3
Angela Simone, 60, 102 Dresser Hill Rd., Charlton, MA, will be summoned to court for allowing a person to operate an unregistered motor vehicle and allowing a person to operate an uninsured motor vehicle.
June 5
Peter R. Blake, 56, 16 Pleasant St., West Brookfield, MA, will be summoned to court for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration.
Tuesday, May 31
911 Medical emergency, Lake Rd., transported to Memorial
Phone Assist citizen, Rice Corner Rd., services rendered
Phone Complaint, Central St., spoken to
Wednesday, June 1
Initiated Safety hazard, Common St., taken/referred to other agency
911 Disturbance, Town Farm Rd., spoken to
Phone Safety hazard, W Main St., extinguished
Thursday, June 2
911 MV accident, Rte. 9 Hwy., transported to hospital
911 Medical emergency, Stagecoach Dr., transported to Mary Lane
Phone Assist citizen, Rte. 148 Hwy., vehicle towed
011 Medical emergency, E Main St., transported to St. Vs
Friday, June 3
911 Medical emergency, Nanatomqua Dr., transported to Harrington
Initiated Serve summons, Lake Rd., services rendered
911 Animal call, Quaboag St., taken to family/guardian
Cellular Medical emergency, Longborn Trl., transported to St. Vs
911 Medical emergency, Sixth St., transported to Memorial
Saturday, June 4
911 MV accident, Lincoln St., report taken
911 Animal call, Joe Goddard Rd., report taken
911 Complaint, Webber Rd., arrest(s) made
Sunday, June 5
Phone Investigation, Lake Rd., spoken to
Cellular Complaint, Post Rd., report taken
Phone Assist citizen, Town Farm Rd., investigated
Phone Animal call, Town Farm Rd., investigated

West Brookfield Police Log

Citizen Kane — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:45:57 +0000

Arrest:
Suspects: Mark A Martinez, DOB: 08/06/1975, 211 Brimfield Rd., Holland, MA 01585. Location: West Brookfield, W Main St. Offenses: OUI Liquor, 3rd offense, Driving under the influence, reckless endangerment of a child.
Victims: Evan Martinez, Drew Martinez.

Wednesday, May 25
Phone Assist citizen, E Main St., services rendered
911 Suspicious activity, W Main St., investigated
Thursday, May 26
Phone Medical emergency E Main St., transported to Mary Lane
911 Medical emergency E Main St., transported to Mary Lane
911 Medical emergency Wigwam Cross Rd., transported to St. Va
Initiated Complaint E Main St., peace restored
Pone Welfare check Route 67 Hwy. arrest(s) made
Phone Assist citizen E Main St., services rendered
Friday, May 27
911 Suspicious activity Ragged Hill Rd., investigated
Cellular Welfare check, Wickaboag Valley Rd./Snow Rd., taken to family/guardian
Saturday, May 28
Initiated Welfare check, W Main St./Allen St., services rendered911 Medical emergency E Main St., services rendered
911 Medical emergency E Main St., transported to Mary Lane
Sunday, May 29
911 Medical emergency E Main St., transported to Mary Lane
Phone Welfare check, Lake Shore Dr., spoken to
911 Medical emergency, Front St., transported to Mary Lane
Monday, May 30
911 Medical emergency W Main St., transported to Mary Lane
Tuesday, May 31
911 Motor Vehicle accident, New Braintree Rd., vehicle towed
911 Medical emergency E Main St., transported to Mary Lane
911 Medical emergency, W Main St., transported to Harrington
911 Medical emergency, E Main St., transported to UMass
911 Medical emergency E Main St., transported to Mary Lane
Wednesday, June 1
Phone Animal call, Wickaboag Valley Rd/Snow Rd., taken to family/guardian

Warren COA Activities

Citizen Kane — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:45:32 +0000

Pitch Monday evenings at 5:45 p.m.
Cribbage Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m.
Bingo Friday afternoons at 1 p.m.
Public invited to the above.

Warren Senior Club Meeting first Friday of the month at 12:30 p.m. Dues $5 year.
Council on Aging Meeting third Friday of each month at 9 a.m.
Blood Pressure taken every second Friday at 10:30 a.m.

STRAWBERRY SUPPER at WARREN SENIOR CENTER 2252 Main St., West Warren, will be held on Saturday, July 16 at 5 p.m. Tickets: $8, children under 7 years old only $4. Serving Ham, Baked Beans, an assortment of Salads, Strawberry Shortcake and beverages. Tickets maybe purchased from Gail or Armand. Senior Center phone number is 413-436-5662. Takeouts are available but must be picked up at the Senior Center.

Residents concerned over lack of emergency planning

Citizen Kane — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:45:02 +0000

By Cristy Bertini
Reporter

- WARREN –

In the wake of the recent tornadoes that went through area towns last week, Warren resident Paul Jarvis appeared before the board of selectmen to voice his concern over the lack of an emergency plan in the town. “For the last six years, I’ve been trying to get an answer as to where to go if there is a tornado, and I’ve gotten nowhere.” Jarvis said. He told the board that during the first year that he moved to Warren, there was a tornado watch in effect and he went to the high school to seek shelter. “There was nobody there and I didn’t know what to do,” Jarvis said. “I went to the police station and the dispatcher told me to go to a restaurant. Last year, I had asked Mr. Downing and he said that Warren doesn’t have any kind of system and that’s not what I want to hear living in a mobile home park.”
Selectmen Chairman David Delanski told Jarvis that the board is going to meet with the emergency management director very soon to put a plan into place. “We do have provisions set up already as far as the elementary school in West Warren and so forth. But, we are going to set it up so everyone will know what to do and where to go,” Delanski said. “We agree with you that it’s a problem, and we are going to fix it.”
Fire Chief James Dolan also expressed frustration with the lack of an emergency plan. “I feel we have done a disservice to the townspeople of Warren without proper notification,” Dolan said. “We were very lucky. However, I feel that the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) should have been activated as soon as the tornado watch went to a warning and at the very least on Thursday morning, to coordinate efforts to help our neighboring towns and to see what we could do.” Dolan said his department is still aiding the towns of Brimfield and Monson with manpower and has been since the afternoon of June 1. “I just felt that the ball was dropped and it shouldn’t have been. People were put at risk it shouldn’t have been that (way). I feel obligated to bring this up so it doesn’t happen again. Let’s find out what the problems are and correct them.”
Dolan said that the town has old fire sirens, the cable access channel and the reverse 911 that can be utilized to notify residents in the event of an emergency.
Delanski said that the emergency management director will be asked to come in as soon as possible.
Police Chief Bruce Spiewakowski said that he, along with Dolan are conducting immediate meetings to put a more precise plan into place. In the case of another emergency, residents are asked to call the police dispatcher and they will be given instructions as to where to go for shelter. “It will either be the elementary school on South Street or the high school. In that event, a member of the emergency management team will open up one of the schools, even if it’s only for one person.” More information will be put on the town’s website as it becomes available.
Spiewakowski has also created an e-mail notification list to keep residents informed of events or situations that may affect the entire town or just a specific section of town. Notifications can also be sent for upcoming or ongoing events, traffic detours and road construction, etc. He said there are currently 100 residents on the notification list and he would like to have more.
To be added to the list, residents are asked to e-mail their name and residential address with a request to be added to the list, to warrenchief1@verizon.net. This information is also listed on the town’s website at www.warren-ma.gov.

Selectmen deny request for motorcycle racing event

Citizen Kane — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:44:28 +0000

By Cristy Bertini
Reporter

- WARREN -

Reed Street resident Keith Goyette and “Connecticut Ramblers” representative Jim Mitchell appeared before the board of selectmen at their previous meeting, requesting
permission to put on a two-day, off-road motorcycle club racing event on Goyette’s property on July 9 and 10. Mitchell explained that the event would include youth, junior and pee-wee racing as well as adult. He said the event would draw approximately 300 – 400 racers and spectators combined. “It’s a family event.” Mitchell said that events are also held to raise money for charities.
Selectmen Chairman David Delanski suggested that Goyette and Mitchell attend their next meeting along with members of the planning board to further discuss the request.
Goyette and Mitchell then attended the board’s June 7 meeting, as did quite a few concerned residents from Reed Street. Delanski explained that the board has been researching the request for the past two weeks. “We’ve looked at what we’ve done in the past with these types of requests, where the property is and we look at our bylaws and so forth,” he said. “I’ve more than anything else, looked at what we allowed in the past and didn’t allow.” Delanski said that there was a similar request a few years ago and it was not allowed. “I have to be honest and tell you that I own a motorcycle. I have nothing against them. But, knowing what we’ve done in the past, it would be hard for me to vote in favor of this. I think the event could be very beneficial for certain people, but I’m not sure that it would be in Warren.”
The selectmen voted unanimously to deny the request.

Selectmen thank Quaboag band, singer
Selectman Robert Souza thanked the Quaboag Regional Middle-High School band and singer, sophomore Anna Stefano for their performances during the Memorial Day observances.
Souza said that he is in the process of working with the superintendent, principal and band director to start a booster club for the band so that funds may be raised to buy new uniforms for the band. Souza asks anyone interested in joining the club, to contact him at 774-200-1678 or Angela Cavanaugh in the selectmen’s office at 413-436-5701 ext. 2.
Delanski complimented Stefano’s singing of the National Anthem at both the Memorial Day parade and Quaboag graduation. “She was absolutely unbelievable and I’d like to send her a special letter thanking her and ask her if she would be available at the next town meetings to sing for us again.”

Insurance Analysis Committee to be formed
Souza told the board that a new Insurance Analysis Committee (IAC) is being formed. He said the committee should have one retiree, one town employee, one board of selectmen member and one town resident. “It’s to talk about how to reduce health plan costs. We can shop it out to different insurance agencies,” Souza said. “By creating this committee, we will be able to better make recommendations to this board for review to see if any changes are feasible to reduce our health care costs.”

Temporary Class 3 license granted
The board previously received a letter from Michael P. Como, Jr. requesting a Class 3 license for Como’s Inc., due to changes in federal regulations in order to continue the day to day operations of the business. The selectmen were unable to vote on the request because Como had not yet filled out an application. Como has since filled out an application and paid the application fee. Selectman Robert Downing made a motion to grant a temporary license until it may be put on a town meeting ballot or until the end of the year, whichever comes first. The selectmen voted to do so.

Quaboag Regional High School holds 43rd commencement

Citizen Kane — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:43:44 +0000

By Cristy Bertini
Reporter

- WARREN -

Eighty-five graduates walked into the Quaboag Regional High School gymnasium as a class for the last time on June 4, to close an important chapter of their lives.
Class President Samantha McCann welcomed the class, teachers, friends and family members. “A mere six years ago, we timidly walked into Quaboag as seventh-graders – unaware of our own capabilities,” McCann said. “The years that have past have been filled with tremendous memories that we will one day, tell our children about. Looking back on that first day of seventh grade and seeing the achievements of my fellow classmates makes me thoroughly honored to be sitting in front of you today. For today, we are able to sit in front of you not as children, but as confident young adults, ready to make an impact on the world.”
District Superintendent Brett Kustigian congratulated the graduates and thanked members of the school committee and boards of selectmen, class advisors, staff members and parents. “The Class of 2011 has been incredibly friendly, welcoming and supportive,” Kustigian said. “I learned this fact in September on the first day of school. As the new school year began, I was more anxious than ever, because the Superintendent’s office was being moved from the Shepard Building to the high school.” Kustigian said that he wondered how the students would react to sharing their building with him and his staff. “I was quickly put at ease when several members of the senior class said ‘Hey, Super K, we’re here. If you need anything, let us know.’ There is no question that the upperclassmen set the tone for the school year,” Kustigian said. “Your support is something that I will always remember about your class. I want to thank each and every one of you and I will miss seeing you in the halls of Quaboag next year, but I know you are destined for greater things.”
He also noted that 85 percent of the graduating class will continue their education next year. “One out of every two students here today, challenged themselves by taking the most difficult courses that were offered to them.”
Kustigian said that he often reflects on his experiences as a father in his role as Superintendent, stating that the roles are quite similar. He told a story about his son playing on the T-Ball team. “He is in the U-10 minor leagues, which is where players pitch the ball to one another. My son was up to bat and was hit by a pitch,” Kustigian said. “Physically, he was fine, but the next couple of times he went up to bat, he would step away when pitched to. My advice to him was to dig in, hang in there, relax, stay focused and when the ball comes, give it everything you’ve got.” After a few frustrating games, his son drove in the winning run off of a base hit. “At that moment, I felt what every parent in this auditorium feels when they see you in your graduation gowns. Parents love nothing more than to see their children experience success.”
Kustigian told the graduates that life is not always predictable. “Life is filled with surprises. There are ups and there are downs. On any given day, you will be faced with unexpected challenges,” he said. “Life is filled with curve balls, sliders, change-ups and an occasional wild pitch. If you could take one lesson away from me, when you are faced with unexpected challenges, keep you head up high, stay true to your values and never, ever give up. Dig in, hang in there, relax, stay focused and when an opportunity presents itself, give it everything you’ve got.”
State Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre said that he was happy to be back a Quaboag. “Forty years ago was the last time that I was at a Quaboag Regional High School graduation – the class of 1971, because I did my student teaching in this building,” Brewer said. “It seems to have gone very fast and I’m always proud to say I did my student teaching here because it has some of the most gifted and dedicated faculty and administration and that tradition continues from “Super-K” all the way down.”
Brewer told the graduates that on this special day, they are surrounded by people that have cared for them all of their life. “You sit here today, the products of public education, because your moms and dads drove you to school and to your activities and dance lessons and sports events. As you sit here, your parents think back to when you were babies, remembering how sweet you smelled after your bath. This week, they will be thinking about that. While you are sitting here today, young and strong, what they are seeing in their hearts are the babies that they brought home from the hospital such a short time ago,” Brewer said. “They would gladly stay up again one more night when you were sick or read “Goodnight Moon” to you, one more time. Always remember, that your fingerprints are on their hearts.”
Valedictorian Rachael Bassett told her fellow graduates to always keep their goals and dreams close to their hearts. “But don’t forget – dreams can change. You can’t miss opportunities in life because you are too afraid to venture off the path that you set for yourself,” Bassett said. “Certain goals of ours may not be reached, but we must not let this discourage us, because one failure can lead you in the direction of success. Live spontaneously and in the moment, because it just might pay off.”
Salutatorian Taylor Custer said that has he was walking down the hallway at school last week, he was stopped every few feet to speak to a teacher or answer a question about the graduation ceremony, while a seventh-grader was also walking down the hall, uninterrupted. “The incident caused me to remember my own experience as a seventh-grader. More importantly, how it felt not to know any of the people in this building. People who played a role in my development as a person and as a student over the last six years,” Custer said. “The moment caused me to realize that the importance of high school can’t be defined by sports, clubs or even academics, but rather it is defined by the memories and relationships that we form along the way.”

The Banister Common & Mall Committee Presents A Preservation Master Plan to the Brookfield Community

Citizen Kane — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:43:03 +0000

Donated to the Town in 1735, the Banister Common has long served as the civic hub of the community and continues to serve that role today. The official Common was established in 1773 with the conveyance of the property by Solomon Banister “always and at all times to be Common and open…. never to be appropriated to any other use than that of a public training field nor divided”. At that time it was one piece of property. “Beautiful lines of shade trees” (probably American Elms) were laid out around 1820. During the late 1800’s the central hub of the Common was at Central & Common Sts. But, by 1898, the Common had been separated into two parcels with the continuation of Central St. (probably to accommodate streetcar traffic), creating the northern Mall section and the southern Common. In 1925 improvements to Main St. (RT.9) further divided the space with the creation of the island at the northern end of the Mall. The size of the Common & Mall has continued to decrease significantly as roadways around them have been widened so that now the Common & Mall sit amidst widened swaths of pavement. Given the fact that the Banister Common is on the National Register of Historic Sites and sits also within a National Register District encompassing the streets around the Common & Mall, the Brookfield Banister Common & Mall Committee felt that it was more than appropriate to develop a Preservation Master Plan consistent, as much as possible, with its historical layout and character and that ensures the preservation of this area for generations to come while still accommodating the needs of the present day community.

And so it was that the Brookfield Banister Common & Mall Committee secured the services of Martha Lyon Landscape Architecture, LLC in September 2010, and over the course of the next 9 months, a Preservation Master Plan was completed.

Taking a look at the visual concept developed by Martha Lyon Landscape Architecture, there are several plan features that together provide the elements of the Master Plan for the Banister Common & Mall.
• As stated before, the northern end of the Mall was significantly changed in the early 20th century by work done on Rt. 9 (Main Street) that created the present island. Nearly a century later the increase in traffic has caused a confusing and dangerous intersection with cars crossing each other and unclear turn patterns. In this concept we see that the island is reclaimed and once again made part of the Mall.
• Common Street along the Mall is narrowed reclaiming land taken in widening the roadway in recent years thereby making the width of Common Street from Lincoln Street to Rt. 9 20 feet wide, allowing for parallel parking and one travel lane. Common St. becomes one-way north from Central St. to Rt. 9 and one-way south from Central St. to Lincoln St.
• Marked parking spaces along the Common side of Upper River St. are removed and placed on the west side of the street and land taken from the Common for these parking spaces is reclaimed.
• While it is not feasible at this point in history to reconnect the Common & Mall as that would eliminate the Central Street extension that reaches Upper River St.- a major thoroughfare – the plan calls for this street width between the Common & Mall to be narrowed to 28’ which still allows for two-way traffic.
• All utilities are placed in conduits underground so that there isn’t the need for removal of trees that pose a danger to above ground utility lines.
• A tree planting scheme is established around the perimeter of the Common & Mall as well as abutting streets incorporating some of the older, more spectacular trees such as Lindens, Plane trees, Red Maples, Ginkgos, and Liberty Elms. This design replicates that seen in historic photos with trees running north and south through the Common and Mall.
• The bandstand is moved from its present location to the north end of the Common, with performance seating placed just south of the bandstand.
• The low point of the Common – at the present bandstand location – would be reserved for a tent lawn in the summer months and ice skating in the winter.
• All Memorials would be moved the south end of the Mall and grouped together in such a configuration as to create a memorial garden/reflection space giving memorials much better focus and respect.
• Sidewalks surfaced with special paving would surround the edges of the Common and Mall .
• The roadway surface of the portion of Central St. that divides the Common & Mall would also receive a surface of special paving that would visually connect the two areas and provide a gathering spot for special events such as dancing at the summer concerts.
• And finally, special paving of the sidewalks on the streets surrounding the Common & Mall and period style street lights on the outer edges of these sidewalks would complete the design.
The Brookfield Banister Common and Mall has historically been and continues to be at the crossroads of community life in Brookfield both physically and in its significance to the community. Over the years it has provided the Town of Brookfield with a public space that can be used by the Town officially, by community groups, and by private individuals for events that are at the heart of community life. Fairs and festivals, concerts and tag sales, weddings and reunions, picnics and games take place here regularly. Historically it has been and continues to be a place of contact and conversation, trading or selling, enthusiastic crowds and individual reflection. It represents collective interests and civic pride. It is the intention of the Brookfield Banister Common & Mall Committee to preserve and protect the rural quality of this historical and significant community green space so that its heritage may continue to be enjoyed by the generations of this community to come.

This Preservation Master Plan project has been funded in part by a grant from the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

North Brookfield Savings Bank’s Camp Putnam Fundraiser Exceeds Goal to Restore a Lodge for Campers

Citizen Kane — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:42:00 +0000

The recent Camp Putnam fundraiser was a huge success. Through the efforts of the North Brookfield Savings Bank employees and customers, the bank exceeded its goal to adopt and restore a lodge at Camp Putnam. By raising $3,647, the bank was able to adopt both a lodge and a cabin!

The bank kicked off the fundraiser with a $1,500 donation. Not to be outdone, the bank’s customers and employees quickly followed in their support of the many fundraising efforts. By making a donation, visitors to the branches were able to purchase hearts that said, “I Love Camp Putnam” and soon, the branch walls were awash in red hearts!

When a challenge was issued to bank employees to make a donation to participate in a Camp Putnam themed dress-down day, many staffers participated and a heated competition ensued. The bank’s accounting department won the contest by dressing in Camp Putnam colors and by cleverly decorating their office in the hearts and feathers found in the Camp Putnam logo.

The fundraising grand finale was a huge Easter Bake Sale. Employees donated their fresh, homemade goodies and manned the bake sale table in the North Brookfield Branch so that everyone could buy just what they needed for their Easter dessert, just in time!

“We are so happy that this fundraiser was successful because it will help Camp Putnam to update two of its buildings,” commented North Brookfield Savings Bank President & CEO Donna Boulanger. “Camp Putnam makes a positive impact on the children of our local communities and we are proud to lend our support. I am looking forward to joining several other bank staff members in picking up paintbrushes, hammers, and rakes when we volunteer our time at Camp Putnam very soon!”

Boulanger continued, “I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the customers and employees of North Brookfield Savings Bank for their generosity and to community leader Sue Lewandowski for her valuable efforts and support.”

Camp Director Todd Stewart shared Boulanger’s sentiments. “We truly appreciate the tremendous support North Brookfield Savings Bank has given Camp Putnam through this latest effort and in the past. We could not ask for a better neighbor in our community. The leadership, staff and customers of NBSB have amazed us with their generosity and heartfelt support of our mission and the children we serve. Their efforts will have an immediate and lasting impact on the camp as one of our main lodges and a cabin will receive a much-needed restoration. This restoration will ensure that hundreds of children this coming summer and thousands of children for many summers to come will be able to enjoy a summer camping experience in safe and welcoming buildings.”

Camp Putnam, located on 150 acres of fields and forest in rural New Braintree, has been serving the children of the Greater Worcester Area for over 60 years. The emphasis at Camp Putnam is on providing a safe, healthy, residential summer camping experience that is affordable for all families, regardless of income.

North Brookfield Savings Bank is a community based mutual savings bank with full service offices in North Brookfield, Belchertown, Palmer, and West Brookfield. Part of the community since 1854, it offers a wide variety of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses throughout Central Massachusetts. All deposits are insured by FDIC and the Depositors Insurance Fund. For additional information please call 1-866-711-6272 or visit www.banknbsb.com.