Spencer: 1 town, 3 state legislators, many constituents

Spencer: 1 town, 3 state legislators, many constituents

Sen.-elect Anne Gobi, D-Spencer, in a debate in October (T&G Staff File Photo/STEVE LANAVA)

 By James F. Russell CORRESPONDENT

SPENCER — When Republican Donnie Berthiaume is sworn in as the new state representative for the 5th Worcester District in January, there will be three legislators from Spencer on Beacon Hill.

Mr. Berthiaume will take the seat that Democrat Anne M. Gobi of Spencer has held since winning a special election in 2001. She won election Nov. 4 to the state Senate, representing the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex District. The Senate seat has been held by Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, who did not seek re-election.

Mr. Berthiaume also will serve with state Rep. Peter Durant, R-Spencer. The men both served on the Spencer Board of Selectmen and consider themselves friends as well as colleagues.

In recent interviews the trio were asked about the anomaly of three people from one town representing a swath of people from Central Massachusetts. They all said their job is to represent everyone in the districts they represent.

"I think it's a good thing as long as all three of us take our job seriously," Mr. Berthiaume said. "Anne has a good track record. Peter has a good track record. My focus is to concentrate on the entire 11-town district."

Gas pipeline company shows alternative route in NH

Gas pipeline company shows alternative route in NH

By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
george.barnes@telegram.com

Kinder Morgan is expected to make an announcement next week on the route of its proposed natural gas pipeline, which could have a significant impact on property owners in northern Central Massachusetts.

What the announcement will be is still unclear, but the company has already put out a map showing an alternative route in New Hampshire. The alternative would move the pipeline north, just west of Warwick and well before it reaches Orange and other Central Massachusetts towns. It would cross into New Hampshire through Winchester, N.H. The company has indicated the route would mostly follow existing utility lines across southern New Hampshire, returning to Massachusetts just before Dracut.

Under the alternative route, the pipeline would still go through Western Massachusetts communities but would not pass through areas of Orange, Athol, Royalston, Winchendon, Ashburnham, Ashby or Townsend. The original proposed route showed the pipeline going through those towns, though it didn't show specifically where it would be in those towns.

RIP Rob Hubbard

Robert Hubbard

Otter River —  Otter River, MA - Robert "Rob" L. Hubbard, 67 of Otter River, died peacefully Friday evening November 28, 2014 in Heywood Hospital after an illness.

Rob was born in Winchendon November 13, 1947, son of the late Donald W. and Elinor G. (Glover) Hubbard and has lived in Otter River for many years. He married his beloved wife Deborah A. (Flis) Hubbard October 13, 1973 and together they shared 41 years of marriage.

Rob holds a master's degree in Economics. In the 70's Rob served in the Peace Corps along with his wife, in Botswana, Papua New Guinea for six years and the Solomon Islands. Rob also worked in Washington DC for the Department of the Interior for almost three years before working overseas. Rob worked as the Director of Community Development and Planing in Gardner for 22 years. He played an important role in getting the City of Gardner a new Police Station. He worked as the head of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority, served on the Gardner Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Massachusetts Economic Development Council, Selectman for one year in the Town of Templeton, and Templeton Town Moderator for 12 years.