Sen. Brewer provides leadership to help school districts

Sen. Brewer provides leadership to help school districts

Stephen Hemman
Executive Director, Mass Association of Regional Schools

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter as an individual wanting to thank Sen. Brewer for all he has done for education and especially regional school districts.

I am Stephen Hemman, a former school superintendent of schools in a regional school district and the current executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS).

When I first became a superintendent, the district was facing financial difficulties. Sen. Brewer arranged for meetings with the state officials. He provided guidance and assistance as we solved our budget issues. He was very concerned with the education of the students in our district. He is also very concerned with the education of all the children in the commonwealth.

Officials hold closed-door meetings to set school budget for Spencer-E. Brookfield budget

Officials hold closed-door meetings to set school budget for Spencer-E. Brookfield budget

By Kim Ring, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SPENCER — Representatives from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education met Wednesday with local officials in preparation for a state takeover of the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District, but the sessions were not open to the public.

While interim school Superintendent Edward Malvey said on Tuesday selectmen from East Brookfield and Spencer, along with the entire school committee, would meet with the state representatives, at least one school committee member who showed up at David Prouty High School for the committee's 5 p.m. session was sent home in order to avoid the committee having a quorum and a possible Open Meeting Law violation. The committee and selectmen had not posted a meeting.

Town mulls whether to pursue $75K gift

Town mulls whether to pursue $75K gift

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Members of the Board of Selectmen are mulling whether to pursue a $75,000 gift connected to a now discontinued housing development, although they acknowledge doing so could result in a legal challenge.

“Personally, I see this as an opportunity for the town to obtain a cash settlement,” said selectmen Chairman Jeffrey Bennett. “It’s a funding source, start-up money that we could use rather than raising it out of taxation.”

In 2009, Edgewood Development Company LLC offered a gift of $75,000 for the town to use toward improvements to Gilman Waite Field and the Templeton Common.

At the time, the company was planning to construct a housing development on Dudley Road.

The project was discontinued following the housing market’s collapse, and the land was sold to the state for conservation purposes. Edgewood has now requested to be released from its gift commitment.

“We can’t tax that land anymore, so we lost revenue,” said Selectman Julie Farrell.

During discussion of documents and the request from Edgewood President Gerard Lorusso, Mr. Bennett pointed out that although the project is discontinued, the town could still have a right to the gift based on the wording of the agreement.

“It appears that if nothing is done by Aug. 25, 2015, Edgewood could be held to the cash payment,” he said.

Although board members said they could have a right to a gift of either cash or in-kind services, they acknowledge pursuing either could result in a costly legal battle.

“How willing they are to own up to it or fight? I don’t know,” Mr. Bennett said.

In other business, the selectmen Monday approved a new set of hours for several town departments following voters’ backing of Proposition 2 1/2 override funding to restore hours that were previously cut.

“We’re trying to build consistency for the public,” said Selectman Doug Morrison.

Effective Nov. 18, the offices of the selectmen, Board of Assessors, the treasurer, tax collector, town clerk and Board of Health will be Monday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.