10 homes evacuated after tanker, car crash in Hubbardston

10 homes evacuated after tanker, car crash in Hubbardston
ROADS HAVE REOPENED

The scene of the crash involving the propane tanker. The tanker is being sprayed in the background. (T&G Staff/CHRISTINE PETERSON)

By Brian Lee TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

HUBBARDSTON — Eight to 10 families in a sparsely populated half-mile radius were forced to evacuate their homes for much of the day Monday after a propane tanker rolled over in a crash at Routes 68 and 62, police said.

Roads in the area were reopened about 6 p.m., more than six hours after the accident occurred.
Public safety personnel went door-to-door to evacuate residents after the 11:22 a.m. two-vehicle crash, which seriously injured both drivers. Routes 68 and 62 were closed for about a mile from the crash in each direction.

A shelter was opened for evacuees at the Slade Building, 7 Main St. No one was at the shelter Monday afternoon. Town Administrator Anita Scheipers said a few people had come earlier, just to get updated information about what was going on.

The town sent out updates on the CodeRED emergency phone system.

Meetings Today

Meetings Today

CPC Meeting        Boynton Library           5:30 pm

Senior Center        Bridge St.                      6:30 pm 

Spencer voters get second chance at services override

Spencer voters get second chance at services override
By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SPENCER — Voters will have a chance to restore town services with an override of Proposition 2½, but they won't get to pick and choose which services they'll save, because selectmen decided to take an all-or-nothing approach to the ballot question residents will vote on.

After a lengthy discussion and a 3-2 vote at their meeting Monday, selectmen said they'd seek the entire $484,000 needed to bring back hours at Town Hall and the library, reinstate firefighter training, move forward with plans to relocate the Senior Center and fund the Parks and Recreation Department, among others.

Initially there was talk of a menu-style override in which voters could fund the departments by voting specifically for each one, but some selectmen thought that might pit departments against one another.

"People want a chance to vote for what they want," former Finance Committee member Albert Shedyak said, urging selectmen to approve a menu-style override ballot.

But Selectman Christopher L. Woodbury said each department would argue that the funding is important and that he would not want to create that sort of situation.

The board's chairman, Anthony D. Pepe, and member John F. Stevens voted against the $484,000 figure and against an all-inclusive override that will most likely be added to the November state election ballot.

BOS Meeting Tonight

BOS Meeting Tonight

6:30 pm

at Kamaloht

Contractor racks up failed projects but carries on

Contractor racks up failed projects but carries on
SUTTON, OTHERS AT ODDS WITH TLT

Duncan G. Leith, former chairman of both the Wachusett Regional School Committee and the Wachusett Regional School Building Committee, stands near one of the school's main entrances. (T&G Staff/PAUL KAPTEYN)

By Susan Spencer TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
susan.spencer@telegram.com

For Duncan G. Leith of Holden, hearing about Sutton's battle with TLT Construction Corp. over its $42 million middle/high school building project was a school construction nightmare redux.

The former Wachusett Regional School District Committee chairman had gone through similar turmoil a decade ago, after Wakefield-based TLT Construction had been awarded a contract for additions and renovations to Wachusett Regional High School in 2004. That contract started at $51.6 million but ballooned with $11 million in cost overruns and nearly half a million in legal fees.

The renovated school opened in 2008, two years behind schedule.

In December 2008, after mediation, the school district settled with TLT to complete the project for $6.2 million.

In Sutton, selectmen placed a claim on TLT's performance bond last September and terminated TLT's contract in October. Brait Builders Corp. of Marshfield was brought in this spring to complete the project, which is expected to be ready by April 2015, nearly a year late.

TLT has sued the town for wrongful termination and related claims.

The same scenario also played out at Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole and elsewhere: Contracts were awarded to TLT, the lowest eligible bidder, which ultimately didn't deliver. But legal maneuvering by TLT hid its controversial past from bid submissions.

Natural gas pipeline expansion has Worcester and surrounding communities in crosshairs

Natural gas pipeline expansion has Worcester and surrounding communities in crosshairs

 Protestors against the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline march along Route 295 in the western Massachusetts town of Richmond earlier this month. Landowners and concerned citizens who live near the pipeline route from Richmond to Dracut said that they support alternative energy generation. FILE/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By Ken Cleveland CORRESPONDENT

A proposed $4 billion natural gas pipeline expansion promises to increase the supply to New England, and may well increase options for Worcester-area customers. But getting the additional gas to users requires running new lines through several area communities.

The Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. plan would increase capacity in its main lines running along the northern part of the state to a terminus in Dracut.

Tennessee Gas has 13,900 miles of existing pipeline stretching from Texas to Massachusetts. It has customers in New England that include electric power generators, as well as those who provide gas to residential and business properties, including NSTAR and Fitchburg Gas & Electric.

In Massachusetts, Kinder Morgan operates about 600 miles of pipeline, about half the state's natural gas supply lines. But lateral lines, or spurs, distribute the gas to other users, including Fitchburg, Clinton and Worcester.

Pipeline Update

Pipeline Update

A large crowd attended the informational meeting held at Greenfield Community College last night. Franklin Regional Council of Governments moderated the meeting. Representatives from Kinder Morgan made a presentation and then the moderator asked questions that were prepared by board members of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.

The presentation was recorded and should be available on the FRCOG website.

Fact – Kinder Morgan has an existing 600-mile pipeline in MA already. This pipeline supplies fracked gas and non-fracked gas to customers throughout Massachusetts. This existing pipeline is at capacity.

Fact – Kinder Morgan needs signed contracts to supply natural gas on the proposed pipeline. So far no long-term contracts have been signed.

Fact – This past winter New England states including Massachusetts came very close to rolling blackouts due to peak demand for electricity. This demand was created by existing power plants going off line as well as increased demand. Grid reliability is a major concern of ISO-NE and FERC

The Battle of Red Apple Farm

The Battle of Red Apple Farm

This weekend the Battle of Red Apple Farm will commence.

Camps will be set up at 555 Highland Ave, Phillipston, MA .

Camps will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday

and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The battles begin at 2 p.m. each day.

Red Apple farm is host to this Civil war re-enactment. 

Solar could make state shine

Solar could make state shine

AS I SEE IT

By Peter Rothstein and Mike Hall

Massachusetts is extremely competitive with other states for solar development, ranking sixth in the country in terms of installed solar capacity and ahead of much sunnier states like Colorado and New Mexico.

But it hasn't always been that way.

Today there is enough solar installed in the commonwealth to power more than 86,000 homes. The amount of solar installed has grown from about 3 megawatts (MW) in 2007 to over 600 MW today as a result of political leadership and forward-thinking policies enacted by the Massachusetts Legislature.

Today, the commonwealth's vibrant solar industry is at a critical juncture, and needs the Legislature to lead once again.

Severe Weather Possible

Severe Weather Possible

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT
JULY 23, 2014 9:30 AM

Potential Severe Weather Today/Tonight
·         A cold front is forecast to move through southern New England today, generating thunderstorms this afternoon through tonight as it interacts with the warm humid air currently in place over the region.

·         Severe thunderstorms are possible, with the highest risk area being western and north central Massachusetts.

·         The main concern with these storms is locally damaging wind gusts, with large hail a lower probability.  These storms are also capable of producing heavy rain, which may lead to localized flooding in low-lying or poor-drainage areas.  Isolated flash flooding is also a possibility.

·         Thunderstorms should end across Massachusetts by midnight tonight.

FRCOG Meeting with Kinder Morgan, Review of Tennessee Gas Pipeline

THURSDAY – JULY 24, 2014 – GREENFIELD

FRCOG Meeting with Kinder Morgan, Review of Tennessee Gas Pipeline - The Franklin Regional Council of Governments and its Franklin Regional Planning Board have rescheduled to July 24 their first-ever joint meeting to review the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. project.

6:00 PM

Dining Commons

Greenfield Community College

***************************************

This meeting will be a review of the proposed pipeline. This event is open to the public. If you have concerns or issues with the pipeline, it might be wise to attend this meeting.

BOS Meetings…the movie

BOS Meetings…the movie

June 30, 2014    BOS Meeting

Part 1 of the July 15, 2014 BOS Meeting

Part 2 of the July 15, 2014 BOS Meeting

Meetings week of 7/21/14

Meetings week of 7/21/14 

Monday 7/21/14

NRSD SC                  Central Office            6 pm

Agricultural                  JK Crossroads                 7 pm

Conservation                4 Elm St                          7 pm

Tuesday 7/22/14

Planning                       Scout Hall                       6:30 pm

Wednesday 7/23/14

Assessors                    2 School St.                    2 pm

Elementary School      Kiva                               6 pm

Town Clerk Office Closed

Town Clerk Office Closed

The Templeton Town Clerk's Office will be closed from July 21st through July 25th due to the hiring freeze and lack of funding for the Assistant Town Clerk position. There is no one to cover the office in the Town Clerk's absence.

Water Fights...Holden

Holden officials fight over water issue

By Sandy Meindersma CORRESPONDENT

HOLDEN — Holden's unaccounted-for water has become a hot-button issue for Selectman Mark Ferguson, who says the figure has spiraled out of control. He also says town officials disregard their efforts to fix the problem.

"The town has been complacent for too long," Mr. Ferguson said. "The rate payers have shouldered the burden for this for too long, and I know we can do better."

Anthony Renzoni, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, called Mr. Ferguson's fixation on unaccounted-for water an attempt to control Town Manager Jacquelyn Kelly, and "hijacking the day-to-day operation of the town."

"Selectman Ferguson has been on a crusade to make local government uncomfortable for all those involved," Mr. Renzoni wrote in an email. "This, in my opinion, is an effort to discourage rational citizens from participating in local government, thus allowing Selectman Ferguson and his associates the ability to maintain some control."

New Sterling administrator enjoys challenges of small towns

New Sterling administrator enjoys challenges of small towns

By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gbarnes@telegram.com

 Jeffrey W. Ritter, the new town administrator for Sterling.
(JOHN FERRARONE)

STERLING — The town he came from has many financial challenges and where he is at is fiscally sound, but Town Administrator Jeffrey Ritter said the job is basically the same.

"Templeton has problems deciding which roads to pave and Sterling has problems deciding which roads to pave," he said.

Mr. Ritter left Templeton after two years as town coordinator to take the town administrator job in Sterling. The communities are about the same size and both are rural, but when he left Templeton, the town was struggling, and continues to struggle with financial problems that nearly put it into receivership.

Sterling has a solid financial base. Mr. Ritter said it still has $1 million that can be raised under the Proposition 2½ cap, but the town is banking it, to be used only if needed.

Mr. Ritter spoke of the similarities and differences of the two towns to explain that although each rural community has its unique issues, they mostly operate the same. He said there was quite a bit of infighting, but Sterling also has issues that result in disputes.

Local Music Rocks! Saturday July 19th

Local Music Rocks! Saturday July 19th

 

FERC and the PIPELINE...July 24th save the date

FERC and the PIPELINE

Knowing and Protecting your Rights When an Interstate Pipeline Comes to Your Community by Carolyn Elefant from FERC

FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Agency

The Federal Energy Regulatory Agency or The Commission, is charged by Congress with evaluating whether interstate natural gas pipeline projects proposed by private companies should be approved.  This authority, under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. S717f(c), allows FERC to issue a “certificate of public necessity and convenience” for the construction and operation of natural gas pipelines used to transport gas across state lines.  FERC does not have jurisdiction over the siting of intrastate natural gas pipelines nor for hazardous liquids.  

In addition to evaluating whether interstate natural gas pipeline projects proposed by private companies should be approved, FERC approves the location, construction, operation & abandonment of interstate pipelines, facilities and storage fields involved in moving natural gas across state boundaries. The Commission’s determination whether to approve such a project may affect you if your land is where a natural gas pipeline, other facilities, or underground storage fields might be located. You should know:

Pipeline protesters walk across Athol

Pipeline protesters walk across Athol

On Tuesday, marchers made their way along Route 2A near the Orange and Athol line. (T&G Staff/RICK CINCLAIR)

By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gbarnes@telegram.com

ATHOL — When Rene Lake took the symbolic piece of pipeline from Mary King Tuesday night, bad weather was threatening.

But the storm held off until the ceremony was done, and Wednesday morning she was back out there, weather or not, to do Athol's leg of a march across the state to protest the proposed Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline.

The pipeline is proposed to run from Richmond on the New York border to Dracut. Central Massachusetts communities expected to be affected are Orange, Athol, Royalston, Winchendon, Ashburnham and Townsend. The line could also go through parts of Templeton or Lunenburg.

To protest the pipeline, marchers have been participating in a Rolling March Against the Pipeline, walking across the state through the affected towns since July 6. They have been hitting one or two towns each day as they make their way to Dracut on July 26 and to hold a rally in Boston on July 30.

The Athol march began in what soon became heavy rain, but the 15 people walking made it the nearly 2½ miles to the Upper Common in Athol along Route 2A, pausing halfway there for a break at the Millers River Environmental Center. With weather improved, a smaller group then headed up Route 32 to Tully Lake, where they passed the symbolic pipe to Royalston residents.

Net Neutrality...explained.

Net Neutrality...explained.

Yes, this matters!

John Oliver explains Net Neutrality.  Not "G" rated

Make your concerns known to the FCC

Coyotes

Coyotes

There have been reports of a large coyote in East Templeton during the day. 

 

Has anyone seen it?

Senior Center Volunteers Needed

Senior Center Volunteers Needed

When? This Saturday at 9:00 am (the 19th)

Why? To prepare the building for heating installation and drywall.

Contact: Julie Farrell j_farrell@hotmail.com

          

                             Or call 978-340-2503

US companies look overseas for tax bill relief

US companies look overseas for tax bill relief

Walgreen Co. — which bills itself as America's premier pharmacy — is among many companies considering combining operations with foreign businesses to trim their tax bills. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A growing number of U.S. companies are looking to trim their tax bills by combining operations with foreign businesses in a trend that may eventually cost the federal government billions of dollars in revenue.

Generic drugmaker Mylan Inc. said Monday it will become part of a new company organized in the Netherlands in a $5.3 billion deal to acquire some of Abbott Laboratories' generic-drugs business. The deal is expected to lower Mylan's tax rate to about 20 percent to 21 percent in the first full year and to the high teens after that.

The Canonsburg, Pennsylvania-company's deal follows a path explored by several other U.S. drugmakers in recent months. AbbVie Inc. has entered talks with Shire Plc. over a roughly $53.68 billion deal that would lead to a lower tax rate and a company organized on the British island of Jersey.

But drugmakers aren't the only companies looking overseas for better tax deals.

Gardner mayor questions need for water ban

Gardner mayor questions need for water ban

A sign in Gardner for the summerlong water ban (GEORGE BARNES)

By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gbarnes@telegram.com

GARDNER — With water use well below acceptable limits and an ample supply in the city's wells and reservoirs, Mayor Mark P. Hawke is questioning the need for state-imposed water restrictions.

In issuing the city's permit for its water system, the state this year required Gardner to impose water restrictions that will be in effect until Sept. 30.

Water restrictions are in place in more than 30 Central Massachusetts communities, some annually for many years, but Mr. Hawke said they are something new for the Chair City and he questions the rationale for them.

"We don't believe there is a need," he said. "We have a very low per-capita use."

Mr. Hawke said the city is well under what the state considers maximum per-person water use and it is well below the state threshold for unaccounted water use.

GOVERNOR SIGNS FISCAL 2015 STATE BUDGET

GOVERNOR SIGNS FISCAL 2015 STATE BUDGET

Approves Legislature’s Appropriations on Key Municipal and Education Aid Accounts

At 9:45 this morning (7/11/14), ten days after receiving the $36.5 billion fiscal 2015 state budget from the Legislature, Governor Patrick signed the budget into law, approving approximately $50 million more in overall funding for municipal and school aid accounts than the budget he originally filed in January.

$25.5 MILLION INCREASE FOR UGGA AND $99.5 MILLION INCREASE FOR CHAPTER 70 FINALIZED
The fiscal 2015 budget increases funding for several key municipal and education aid accounts, including a $25.5 million increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) and a $99.5 million increase in Chapter 70 funding – these are the same funding levels that were announced in the Legislature’s March local aid resolution.

GOVERNOR SIGNS FULL FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT-BREAKER
The final budget plan supports full funding for the Special Education Circuit-Breaker Program, using the Legislature’s calculation to arrive at the full funding number of $260.4 million, a $5 million increase over fiscal 2014. 

GOVERNOR SIGNS $18.7 MILLION INCREASE FOR REGIONAL SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENTS AND $2.24M FOR TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENTS FOR OUT-OF-DISTRICT VOCATIONAL STUDENTS
The budget signed by the Governor includes the Legislature’s recommendation to increase regional school transportation reimbursements by $18.7 million, a 36% boost over the current year, raising the appropriation to $70.25 million.  This is a major victory that will bring the state to 90% of full funding, the highest level in a generation.  The budget also includes $2.24 million for transportation reimbursements for out-of-district vocational students.  This is down slightly from the fiscal 2014 budget, but is a significant improvement over the Administration’s initial budget, which would have eliminated the program.

Microbursts not micro inside the burst

Microbursts not micro inside the burst

By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gbarnes@telegram.com

For those living in the path of a microburst, the name may seem understated.

Several communities in the past week saw some mega damage from microbursts that developed in thunderstorms on July 3 and July 7.

Kim Buttrick, forecaster for the National Weather Service, said storm damage in Phillipston and Templeton in Worcester County and Whatley and Sunderland in Western Massachusetts was consistent with a microburst.

"There were microbursts on the 3rd that the Skywarn folks investigated," she said.

On that day, the National Weather Service did not send its own team to investigate because staff was busy plotting Hurricane Arthur, which was also heading toward Massachusetts. Ms. Buttrick said the weather service was not able to measure the severity of the winds in those towns, but it appeared to be from a downburst, a larger-scale microburst.

As the hurricane made its way up from the south, the thunderstorms that brought with them microbursts came from the west and landed especially heavily in Phillipston on Highland Avenue, Ward Hill and Blake Corner Roads, uprooting and snapping trees. No tornadoes were reported, but winds of 80-plus miles per hour were estimated.

On July 7, a microburst was confirmed in Bedford, but significant damage also occurred in Ashburnham, Athol and parts of Fitchburg and Leominster.

Severe Weather Tonight (July 14)

Severe Weather Tonight (July 14)

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT
JULY 14, 2014 4:30 PM
 

Severe Weather Tonight (July 14)
·       Widespread showers and thunderstorms will sweep northeast across Southern New England tonight, centered around midnight.

·       Some of the storms may be strong to severe with the threat of damaging wind gusts.  Torrential rainfall is likely which may result in localized flash flooding.

·       A brief, isolated tornado is possible.

·       Showers and thunderstorms will exit the region by Tuesday morning.

Meetings week of July 14th

Meetings week of July 14^th

Tuesday 7/15/14

TMLWP – Light            Bridge St            6:00 pm

BOS                              Kamaloht            6:30 pm

Wednesday 7/16/14

MJTC                          Fitchburg            7:00 pm

Templeton loses a complex and dedicated citizen

Templeton loses a complex and dedicated citizen

By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gbarnes@telegram.com

There are some people who will question my sanity when I write this. Some will be furious, but I will say it anyway.

Pauly Cosentino was a good and dedicated citizen.

He was a bit unruly. He did not worry much about keeping town officials happy. He was annoying to some and spoke his mind, always, even when the entire room was against him. He could be a handful to deal with, but I liked him.

Paul H. Cosentino of Templeton, junk yard owner, Marine, former trucker and garage owner, father, grandfather, town official and citizen died this week after suffering a long time from cancer. He suffered, but I can only imagine the cancer suffered more as it tried to kill him. No disease, no person came out of a battle with Pauly feeling victorious. Pauly, 77, was tough, determined, and he was not a quitter. He perfectly fit Welsh poet Dylan Thomas' words written to his dying father, "Do not go gently into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Response from Senator Markey regarding the pipeline

Response from Senator Markey regarding the PIPELINE

After reading numerous articles, both online and in print about the natural gas pipeline, I decided to contact both Senator Warren and Senator Markey about the pipeline. I received this response from Senator Markey:

EDWARD J. MARKEY                                                218 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
MASSACHUSETTS                                                     WASHINGTON, DC 20510
                                                                                        (202) 224-2742

                                        
                            United States Senate

                                                         July 10, 2014

Dear Julie:



Thank you for contacting me concerning the safety of oil and natural gas pipelines and the Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline proposal through Massachusetts. It was good to hear from you.

Before I was elected to the United States Senate, I was the Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee and a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, giving me close involvement in the debate over our country's energy policy and oversight of pipeline safety. Our nation's energy policy should protect the health and safety of Americans by strengthening environmental protections for our air and water, addressing the threat of global warming by reducing carbon pollution, enhancing our energy security by cutting our dependence on foreign oil, and creating jobs in the United States by encouraging the development of clean energy sources.

I remain committed in the Senate to ensuring that we have the strongest possible safety and environmental protections in place for all oil and gas pipelines. I will continue to closely monitor the status of the Kinder Morgan pipeline proposal through Massachusetts and ensure that there is proper opportunity for public involvement and input throughout the process. The company would be required to submit a formal proposal to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which would have to provide multiple opportunities for public comment and review during the agency's evaluation of the proposal.

I also share your concern over pipeline spills or incidents. Recent natural gas explosions are a reminder of the dangers posed by our crumbling natural gas distribution pipeline infrastructure. Last year, I released a report that found that over the last decade, Massachusetts consumers paid up to $1.5 billion for natural gas that they may have never received as a result of old, leaking pipelines. These leaking pipelines pose a threat to public safety and harm consumers and our environment by releasing powerful heat-trapping emissions.

That is why I have introduced two bills in the Senate, S. 1767 and S. 1768, to protect consumers and create good paying jobs by accelerating the repair and replacement of aging natural gas infrastructure and providing additional funds to do so. I will continue to fight to protect consumers, public safety and our environment by passing legislation that will create good jobs by providing more tools to states to repair these old, leaking pipelines.

Thank you again for contacting me about this issue. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.  To sign up for my newsletter, visit http://www.markey.senate.gov/newsletter. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.



Sincerely,


Signature

Edward J. Markey
United States Senator

****************************************************

Rest in Peace

Rest in Peace, Pauly. Rest in Peace.

 

Paul H. Cosentino, Sr.

TEMPLETON — Paul H. Cosentino, Sr., 77 of  364 Patriots Rd, Templeton, died peacefully on July 9, 2014 in his residence after a long illness.

Born in Templeton on January 12, 1937, he was the son of the late William P. and Nellie R (Bettez) Cosentino.

Paul served in the United States Marine Corp from 1957 to 1959.

After his service in the Marine Corp, Paul started a small trucking company with his brothers and friends. He remained self employed for all his life starting several successful companies  including CO & S Garage in East Templeton and Cosentino Salvage, Inc. in Templeton. He loved the “junk” business and never missed a day of work.  Paul continued to work and play an important role in the day to day operations of both businesses until his final days.

Known as “Big Moe,” he enjoyed spending time with his friends and family at the “Yard” and if you couldn’t find him there, you’d find his post it notes. 

Paul was passionate about the town of Templeton, serving on the Conservation Committee for several years.  He also started a blog, “Pauly’s Templeton Watch,” to get information out to the people of the town and  to get people involved in local politics. 

Paul leaves two daughters, Deborah A. Cosentino of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Patricia L. Racette of Templeton; three sons  Paul H. Cosentino, Jr. and his significant other, Michaelann Clark Buda, of Templeton, Raymond P. Cosentino and his wife, Caralyn, of Templeton, and William D. Cosentino and his wife, Robin, of Templeton; eleven grandchildren, Jacob and Jared Racette, Zachary, Cadence, Caliana, Stephan, Austin, William and Madison Cosentino, and Alexander and Stephanie Buda; three great-grandchildren Ariannah, Kayleigh and Jacob David Racette; three brothers, Francis of Florida, Patrick and Anthony of Templeton; four sisters, Pearl Conlan and her husband, Walter, of Gardner, Teresa Cosentino of Florida, Bernadette Canu and her husband, Nino, of Florida and Louise Breen of Gardner; many nieces and nephews.   

He was predeceased by his wife, Kay F. (Nosek) and a son, David; three sisters, Rosaline Pierce, Laura Agnelli and Annette Cosentino; and four brothers William, John, Joseph and Raymond. 

Relatives and friends are planning to honor and celebrate Paul’s life by gathering for calling hours in the Lamoureux Fletcher and Smith Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner on Sunday July 13, 2014 from 2-5 p.m.  His funeral will be held from the funeral home on Monday July 14, 2014 beginning at 10 a.m.  A funeral mass will be held in Holy Cross Church, 25 Lake Ave., East Templeton, at 11 a.m.  Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Templeton.

To sign the online guestbook for Paul, please visit our website at www.fletchercares.com.

The Lamoureux Fletcher and Smith Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner is honored to be assisting the family with the arrangements.

STM Warrant and motions for Thursday July 10th

Special Town Meeting Warrant

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE 1            TAX AGREEMENT FOR SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY  2

ARTICLE 2            MUNICIPAL  LIGHT  DEPARTMENT  APPROPRIATION   3

ARTICLE 3            TRANSFER TO THE STABILIZATION FUND   4

ARTICLE 4            SALE OF TOWN PROPERTY  4

ARTICLE 5            NEW POSITIONS  4

ARTICLE 6            FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT END OF YEAR FINANCIAL     

TRANSFERS

  5

ARTICLE 7            CITIZEN’S PETITION:  SEX  OFFENDER  RESIDENCY  

                                  RESTRICTIONS  6

ARTICLE 8..... CITIZEN’S PETITION:  AMENDMENT  OF ZONING BY-LAW TO ALLOW DRIVE-UP  CUSTOMER SERVICE FACILITIES AT RESTAURANTS AND FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS IN THE VILLAGE DISTRICT

Plan wrong for Massachusetts

Plan wrong for Massachusetts

AS I SEE IT

By Dan Dolan

The Massachusetts Legislature is currently considering a bill at the urging of the governor that would use the state electricity customer dollars to subsidize provincially owned Canadian hydropower companies. Even worse, the bill — H. 4187 — would result in higher electricity bills for consumers, not to mention its potential to undermine local innovation, investment and jobs.

To ensure Massachusetts families and businesses do not have to bear the burden of these costs, H. 4187 should not move forward.

House 4187 seeks to lock Massachusetts electricity consumers into decades-long contracts with Hydro Quebec (HQ) and Nalcor to have them supply one-third of the state's power demand. This is simply not the right path forward for Massachusetts.

Energy saving projects set to be brought before town meeting on for July 14 in West Boylston

Energy saving projects set to be brought before town meeting on for July 14 in West Boylston

By Michael D. Kane BANNER EDITOR    michael.kane@telegram.com

WEST BOYLSTON — Selectmen have called for a special town meeting to be held Monday, July 14, with one article only. The article's request will be to borrow millions. But, if all works like it should, taxpayers will never see a penny added to their tax rate. In fact, they could reap some benefits. It's all thanks to a decades old law.

Town meeting voters will be asked to borrow between $2.6 and $2.9 million (the cost was not finalized when The Banner went to press). The money will be used for a series of repair and replacement projects to the infrastructure of town-owned buildings.

The "investment" will be paid for by the savings those new lights, controls and heating systems provide.

Wind Setbacks: Safety First (unless you're a wind developer)

Lisa Linowes - July 1, 2014
Editorial

After years of debate there is still disagreement and uncertainty regarding appropriate safety setback distances. This uncertainty has benefited the wind industry. Thousands of turbines are erected that are dangerously close to where people live.

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Last month, Ohio infuriated wind proponents by passing Senate bill 310, a bill that delays the state's renewable electricity standard for two years and eliminates the requirement that half of the renewables mandate be met with in-state resources.

Within days of SB310 passing, Ohio Governor John Kasich approved a change to the safety setback distances for wind turbines. Under the new law, setbacks will now be measured at the property line of the nearest adjacent property as opposed to the wall of a nearby home. In practice, this will require minimum distances of at least 1,300 feet from property lines to each turbine base.

Wind developers and Ohio's media cried foul over due process claiming the legislature gave no warning of the setback rule change or opportunity for testimony. They insisted the provision was 'anti-wind' driven by coal and oil interests intent on destroying the economics of large-scale wind and called on the governor to veto the change. 

Severe Weather Potential

Severe Weather Potential

MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT
JULY 7, 2014 10:30 AM

National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms in western and north-central MA during the afternoons and evenings of today and tomorrow.  The primary threats associated with these storms are as follows:

Strong to damaging straight line wind gusts
Large hail
Heavy rainfall bringing the potential for localized, urban and small stream flooding
Dangerous cloud-to-ground lightening
Small risk (2% for the central to northwest Berkshire county) for tornadic activity

Today’s weather is expected to occur between 5p.m. – 10 p.m.

For additional information, please see the attached briefing from NWS Albany as well as a NWS special weather statement: http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov/weather/alertinfo/17561552.

Meetings 7/7/- 7/11

Meetings 7/7/- 7/11

Monday 7/7/14

Sewer                               Reservoir St.                     4:30 pm

Tuesday 7/8/14

COA                                 Scout Hall                         1:30 pm

TMLWP –Water               Bridge St.                          6:00 pm

TMLWP –Light                Bridge St.                          6:30 pm

Wednesday 7/9/14

Housing Authority           Bridge St.                          4:00 pm

Thursday 7/10/14

Senior Center                     Bridge St                         4:30 pm

CPC                                   Boynton Library              6:00 pm

Cemetery & Parks             Scout Hall                        6:30 pm

Special Town Meeting

NRMS Auditorium

7:00 pm

New Land Not So Free after all!

         

It appears the land deal with the state may not be so great after all. There may be a problem with communication or it may have been just another nod and a wink deal. Seems there was a crew trying to do test borings on the land "given" to the town were kicked off the land by some state officials. After a go 'round with Senator Brewer and the governor, they may have gotten access to the land again. Now the state wants to be reimbursed for the loss of agriculture and hunting rights to that land. at the last meeting of TESBC, seems like a price of $10,000.00 per acre is now required. The town may also have to obtain some more land for entrance and a wide enough in and out lane (s). There of course may be some wetlands issues. I believe the next meeting will be on July 23, 2014 and I hope everyone looks for the meeting posting and attends.

The town building in East Templeton is looking pretty nice inside thanks to a lot of town folks who came to help. Thank you very much to all.

Jeff Bennett



Pipeline Information

Pipeline Information

NO FRACKED GAS IN MASS 

Our Current Mission:   

To stop the Kinder Morgan/TGP Northeast Energy Direct project (a high-pressure gas pipeline planned by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, to run from Richmond in Berkshire County through to Dracut, north of Boston.)

Our Broader Mission:   

To stop the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in Massachusetts and to promote expanded efficiency and sustainable, renewable sources of energy and local, permanent jobs in a clean energy economy.

Why The Pipeline is the Wrong Direction for Massachusetts:
The proposed pipeline path runs through hundreds of private properties and through some of the state’s most sensitive eco-systems and would be paid for through new tariffs on our electric bills.

Pipeline foes unite to oppose project

Pipeline foes unite to oppose project

Pat Worth stands with her dog in a pasture on her Greenfyre Farm in Royalston as her horses graze near the path of a proposed pipeline. (T&G Staff/Rick Cinclair)

By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gbarnes@telegram.com

When Winchendon Town Manager James M. Kreidler was contacted in the spring about having town property surveyed for a natural gas pipeline, he said no.

"I did not and will not execute the document," he said. "Instead, I made them a counteroffer."

Mr. Kreidler told representatives of Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. he would prefer the pipeline run through already disturbed property, former rail lines and utility rights of way, which would reduce going through wetlands, conservation land and private property.

"No one's land would be taken," he said.

So far, the alternative has not been accepted and the town's permission has not been granted.

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, has proposed running a natural gas pipeline from New York through Northern Massachusetts to Dracut. Among the communities it could pass through are Orange, Royalston, Winchendon, Ashby, Lunenburg and Townsend, with possible spurs into New Hampshire and to communities such as Fitchburg, depending on companies it contracts with.

Since the pipeline was announced in January, opposition has been growing, even as the exact route remains unclear.