The HBO documentary “Toxic Hot Seat” tells the story of how industry lobbied....

The HBO documentary “Toxic Hot Seat” tells the story of how industry lobbied to get flame retardants in mattresses and couches.

 

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Published: November 23, 2013

Researchers this summer purchased 42 children’s chairs, sofas and other furniture from major retailers and tested them for toxic flame retardants that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, diminished I.Q.’s and other problems.
Nicholas D. Kristof
In a study released a few days ago, the Center for Environmental Health reported the results: the toxins were found in all but four of the products tested.

“Most parents would never suspect that their children could be exposed to toxic flame-retardant chemicals when they sit on a Mickey Mouse couch, but our report shows that children’s foam furniture can carry hidden health hazards,” a co-author of the study, Carolyn Cox, said in releasing the report.

Jack Frost Festival and Historical Society Cookie sale



Tree Lighting - 

Templeton Center  4:30

East Templeton      5:30

Otter River             6:00

Baldwinville            6:30

 

Jack Frost Festival   December 1 3 pm Templeton Common

Historical Society Cookie Sale -December 1    11-5 pm

11/25/13 BOS Meeting…the movie

11/25/13 BOS Meeting…the movie

Part 1 of the November 25, 2013 Templeton BOS Meeting 

Part 2 of the November 25, 2013 Templeton BOS Meeting 

Part 3 of the November 25, 2013 Templeton BOS Meeting

PS: we got the van!!! Good job Bethany! Good job to all involved!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Whatever your traditions, whatever your beliefs,

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you be blessed with family and/or friends to celebrate this holiday.

Non-binding questions planned on new school's costs, water department

Non-binding questions planned on new school's costs, water department

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer
TEMPLETON — With a special election set for Jan. 14 following a citizens petition, the Board of Selectmen earlier this week approved adding two non-binding questions to the ballot.

“Having an election coming up, it’s an opportunity to gather feedback to see where we stand,” said Selectman Julie Farrell. “Having it as a non-binding referendum, it’s just a consensus of the town.”

The additional questions will ask voters if they would pay an estimated $10 million for a new elementary school, and if they would rescind a 13-year-old vote transferring authority over the Water Department from the town to the Templeton Municipal Light Department.

In June, the Templeton Elementary School Building Committee finalized a land trade with the state for a parcel of land at the Templeton Developmental Center known as Crow Hill to be the location of the proposed school. The committee is also nearly finished with a feasibility study for the new school using $550,000 provided by voters.

Ms. Farrell stated that the committee now needs to know if the community is able and willing to support construction costs.

2 hopefuls to seek vacant Templeton selectman seat

2 hopefuls to seek vacant Templeton selectman seat

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer
TEMPLETON — Two town natives — one known for her blog and involvement in the school district and another for his previous service on the Board of Selectmen — are running to fill an interim seat on the board left vacant since the resignation of Virginia Wilder.

Following Tuesday’s deadline to submit nomination papers with 25 signatures, Diane Haley-Brooks and Robert Mitchell will be the two candidates on the ballot for the Jan. 14 special election.

Brewer's legal bills, spending questioned

Brewer's legal bills, spending questioned

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

GARDNER — In recent days, following questions raised by local media outlets and Senate hopeful James Ehrhard, state Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre has declined to provide details regarding $35,000 in legal bills incurred between July 2012 and January 2013.

The costs, according to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance, are associated with fees incurred while soliciting legal advice from Boston firm Ropes & Gray LLC.

According to a representative of Sen. Brewer’s office, the legal fees fall within acceptable use of campaign funds and the release of additional details is not required by law.

Templeton town administrator discusses candidacy for Sterling position

Templeton town administrator discusses candidacy for Sterling position

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer
TEMPLETON — Awaiting a decision from the Sterling Board of Selectmen on whether he will serve as their new town administrator, Templeton Town Administrator Jeffrey Ritter said he sought the nearby appointment as an opportunity for growth in what he calls his third career.

“I may look a lot younger than I actually am. Without stating age credentials and my extensive history, I am later in my career,” he said. “I took up town administration five years ago, and if I’m going to complete my professional career in administration I’d like to accomplish as much as I can in the time.”

Nov. 25 2013 BOS…the meeting

Nov. 25 2013 BOS…the meeting

Snow & Ice –

After approval of minutes and the pledge the selectmen discussed the purchase of the new snowplow. The highway superintendent explained why the grader is used on certain routes and why the new plow was on the grader. The original plan was to place the new plow on a different piece of equipment.

MRPC Joint Housing Services proposal –

The BOS then voted to apply for a Community Innovation Challenge (CIC) Grant for a Regional Housing Services proposal to be run by MRPC. The cost to the town of Templeton will be $0.00. The intent of this proposal is to oversee section 8 housing and 40B rules and regulations.

Request for documents from TMLWP –

The BOS voted to send a letter to the Water Commissioners requesting the Water Capital Improvement plan that was recently adopted by the Water Commissioners. That request also includes the Zone II delineation maps, which protect the wellheads.

This topic generated much discussion regarding the recent water rate increase as well as the exorbitant increase in the customer service charge from the already high $28/quarter to $49/quarter.Some people are paying more in a customer service charge than they are for water.

To: The good folks in Templeton,

To: The good folks in Templeton,

     I was recently notified that there were a number of derogatory and insulting remarks regarding my character being posted on this site and that I should look into it. I have not been to the site for some time as I have very little use for the likes of “huff and puff” and “the truth” that cannot get their facts straight and are so cowardly they cover up their lying BS by hiding behind an alias. As far as I can tell these are the same folks that lied about the recall as it was not because they wanted to “let the people speak”. In fact it became quite clear after the recall that it was in support of cronyism and ridiculous legal bills when the recall crew drained the accounts to return their “dear friend” the past coordinator and lawyers, while the chairman of the BOS decided the board should take votes without letting the people speak at all. There you go folks, I “huff and puff” and now some of “the truth” is out regarding the recall.

Campaign donations used for pricey perks

By Shaun Sutner and Thomas Caywood, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
ssutner@telegram.com
tcaywood@telegram.com

Enlarge photo

Enlarge photo

Enlarge photo

Enlarge photo

When supporters give money to state legislative candidates, they might expect the cash to be spent on campaign basics such as mailings, bumper stickers and voter databases.

But hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent so-called campaign expenditures, in fact, went toward pricey perks for local candidates ranging from overnights at four-star hotels and expensive meals to gift cards that function like cash and airline tickets to far-flung cities.

Local lawmakers also routinely pay for liquor out of campaign funds, wedding gifts to supporters, fees for high-priced lawyers, car lease and insurance payments, storage units and even meat for a barbecue, according to a Telegram & Gazette review of the spending patterns of Central Massachusetts legislators from the start of 2012 to mid-2013.

Meetings…11/25 – 11/29

Meetings…11/25 – 11/29

Happy Thanksgiving

Monday November 25-

BOS  Executive Session  690 Patriots Rd  5:30

Trustees Meeting Boynton Public Library  5:30

BOS  Regular meeting  690 Patriots Rd   6:30

Tuesday November 26-

Capital Planning   690 Patriots Rd   6:30

Planning Board          690 Patriots Rd   6:30

MRPC                      Fitchburg            7:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Southbridge councilors bristle at trash talk

By Brian Lee, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
SOUTHBRIDGE — Councilors learned this week that the landfill on Barefoot Road isn't expected to last beyond 2019, about eight years sooner than longtime officials said they were led to believe.

Toni King, a regional engineer for landfill operator Casella Waste Systems Inc., delivered the news during the Nov. 18 council meeting.

But she said Casella had always said the existing landfill footprint would fill up by about 2020.

Ms. King also spoke about a nonbinding "common goals agreement" between Casella and the town about optimizing use of land surrounding the landfill.

Town officials are considering repurposing the struggling municipal airport next door.

Ritter finalist for Sterling position

Ritter finalist for Sterling position

Templeton town administrator one of three hopefuls being considered

TEMPLETON — Templeton Town Administrator Jeffrey Ritter is one of three finalists being considered for the  role of town administrator in Sterling.

Mr. Ritter, a Harvard resident, has been serving in Templeton since January 2011. He formerly served as town administrator in Hatfield and as assistant town administrator in Harvard.

Earlier this week, Mr. Ritter had a second interview with the Sterling Board of Selectmen along with his fellow finalists. They are Michael Szlosek, who served as town manager in Athol and Uxbridge and town administrator in South Hadley and Ludlow, and Carter Terenzini, who is currently town administrator in Moultonborough, N.H., and served as a town administrator in Spencer, city manager of Mt. Morris, Mich., and town manager in Castleton, Vt.

JFK Remembered

Two versions of John F. Kennedy's speech on April 27, 1961. This speech is entitled "The President and the Press" and was delivered at the American Newspaper Publishers Association meeting held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

JFK "Secret society" Speech  selected parts of the speech below (4 minutes)

Audio link to JFK Speech full speech (19:11 minutes)

"An error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it."
Orlando Aloysius Battista

Something to consider.

Julie Farrell

TGIF ! A Lot to be Thankful For!

-->

TGIF ! A Lot to be Thankful For!

Friday –

NRSD Senior Class Meat Raffle    American Legion   7 pm

Saturday –

Thanksgiving Harvest Festival   Red Apple Farm  10- 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday

Holy Cross Holiday Fair    East Templeton  9 am- 3 pm

Turkey Raffle      Templeton Fish & Game  7 pm

Fire Dept. Turkey Raffle  American Legion 7 pm

Nuclear Option...Compromise

State sets Spencer-East Brookfield school budget at $23.45M; compromise requires both school and town cuts

By Kim Ring, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SPENCER — The state has set a compromise school budget for the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District that will force cuts in both municipal and education spending.

The budget figure, $23,451,588, is $120,000 more than voters from the two district towns approved at a regional meeting in October, but less than what school officials had hoped for.

Education commissioner Mitchell D. Chester also ruled that the $120,000 must be set aside "for potential liabilities," interim Superintendent Edward Malvey said.

School committee members will review budget cuts on Dec. 10, days after Spencer voters go to town meeting to retool the town's spending plan for fiscal 2014, which is nearly half over.

Spencer Town Administrator Adam D. Gaudette said he's pleased the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education appears to have taken seriously the town's plea for a reasonable budget that would not force deep cuts to municipal services.

"I'm not exactly celebrating and popping the champagne," he said. "But I'm glad there was a compromise."

Nuclear option...Spencer employees wait anxiously for state to set school budget

Spencer employees wait anxiously for state to set school budget

By Kim Ring, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
SPENCER — The staff at Spencer Memorial Town Hall spent Wednesday waiting and wondering, and they will do more of the same Thursday as the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education works to set a school budget that could affect their jobs.

"They were asking me about it all day," Town Administrator Adam D. Gaudette said.

But by 5 p.m., when there was no word from the state, Mr. Gaudette went home.

Fallout from the nuclear option...Facts, Law and ???

Fallout from the nuclear option...Facts, Law and ???

 Additional Information:

 Take two:

By Joshua Lyford, ITEM CORRESPONDENT
STERLING — The Board of Selectmen continued discussion on who will become the next town administrator for the community on Wednesday night. Each of the three candidates — Michael Szlosek, Jeffrey Ritter and Carter Terenzini — had a chance to speak to what makes them strong choices and selectmen had the opportunity to ask them some tough questions.

“The Investigation” … S623

“The Investigation” … S623

After stalling in the Joint Committee on the Judiciary since January 22, 2013, it was good to receive the following notice yesterday:

Jeff;

Denise Andrews just called (11/19/13 @9:42 am) and asked that I let you know she received the letter the Board sent regarding action on the Special Investigation for the Town Senate Bill S.623.  She spoke with Senator Brewer and they will be pushing this through the Judiciary. She said the letter was very helpful and asked that we let the Board know that there will be action taken and to thank them for the letter. If you have any questions, just call her office.

Holly A. Young,

Legal Administrative Assistant/Notary Public

Templeton Selectmen's Office

email hyoung@templeton1.org

Phone: 978-939-8801

Fax: 978-939-4065

Nuclear Option...Update

Spencer selectmen plan for worst on budget, hope for not so bad

By Kim Ring, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
SPENCER — In setting a proposed budget for the Dec. 5 special town meeting, selectmen are planning for the worst-case scenario but hoping the state will spare them from cutting hours of clerks in Town Hall, closing the fire station, shuttering the transfer station and mothballing a building that was to be the senior center.

Because of approaching deadlines for setting the town's tax rate, the board agreed to put the budget with devastating cuts on the warrant. But, they said, the numbers could be changed on Town Hall floor during the town meeting if the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education chooses a budget number approved by East Brookfield and Spencer voters at a regional school district meeting.

Open Meeting Law Complaints…shedding some Light

Open Meeting Law Complaints…shedding some Light

Just when you think it can’t get any stranger…It does. Back on March 14, 2013 Hanne Rush from the Division of Open Government rendered an 8-page decision that the TMLWP Commissioners violated the Open Meeting Law.

I was unable to attend the TMLWP meeting on November 12^th due to a conflict with a BOS meeting. Mr. David Smart attended the TMLWP meeting. Mr. Smart received this document from the TMLWP general manager, John Driscoll on November 18, 2013. It is customary for the chairman of any public body to inquire if anyone attending the meeting is recording the meeting. Apparently that didn’t happen at the TMLWP meeting. Let’s hope no ratepayer money was used for legal advice in drafting this letter.

Meetings ..Nov 18 through Nov 22

Meetings ..Nov 18 through Nov 22

November 18

Cultural Commission  Boynton Public library  6:30 pm

Recreation Commission  Kiva   6:30 pm

Conservation Commission  4 Elm St    7:00 pm

November 19

Templeton Emergency Planning  1 Elm St  9 am

Shedding some Light…on Water

Shedding some Light…on Water

Drill a well.

If you are a water customer in the Town of Templeton, you most likely received the following letter in the mail:

Letter to Water Customers

The new rates were adopted by the Templeton Water Commission based on a rate study by the engineering firm Tighe & Bond. The letter is dated November 5, 2013. The Commissioners met on November 12^th.

The water rate increase will be 23% in FY 14. The new quarterly charge for the honor and privilege of being a water customer is $49 per quarter. This cost is in addition to the average water customer’s quarterly water bill rising from $138 to $170.

Recognizing all that teachers do

Recognizing all that teachers do

David Uminski
Principal, Oakmont Regional High School

To some people, they unfairly try to disparage teachers with talk of summers off, six-and-a-half hour workdays, etc. 

The truth is that teachers have an extremely challenging job, a job that warrants our respect and appreciation. I have been out of the classroom for nearly nine years, and I know that teaching today is a far more complicated, demanding, and challenging profession than it was years ago. 

At Oakmont Regional High School, teachers are inundated with the demands of local, state and federal requirements. 

This year alone, our teachers are preparing for our decennial accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which is rightly very rigorous and time consuming. Teachers are required to document evidence that we meet seven standards that are characteristics of excellent schools. The standards cover the areas of Core Values and Learner Expectations, Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, Culture and Leadership, School Resources and Community Resources. 

Teachers union files labor complaint against school committee

By Kim Ring, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SPENCER — The Spencer-East Brookfield Teachers Association has filed a complaint with the state Department of Labor Relations after a school committee member chastised the teachers for filing grievances during a fiscal crisis. 

BOS Meeting…the movie

BOS Meeting…the movie

Part 1 of the Templeton BOS Meeting 11/12/13

Part 2 of the Templeton BOS Meeting 11/12/13

Part 3 of the Templeton BOS Meeting 11/12/13

Enjoy!

Julie Farrell

State beekeeping summit to be held at Red Apple Farm

State beekeeping summit to be held at Red Apple Farm

Kerry O'Brien News Staff Writer      PHILLIPSTON — Members of the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association will be discussing creating pollination relationships with farmers, and other issues concerning beekeeping, during a semi-annual meeting being held at Red Apple Farm on Saturday.  “There are a lot of issues with bees dying off, and that has had a big impact on agricultural crops,” said association president Dan Conlon. “Not all beekeepers provide pollination services, and we’d like to encourage more smaller operations to get involved, so there’s going to be a discussion on how to do it why to do it.” The state beekeepers association includes the associations of roughly 10 counties. Worcester County is the largest — with approximately 400 members — and has the largest farming economy.