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www.StonebridgePress.comFriday, July 17, 2020Newsstand: 75 centsLPN named to Dean’s List atFitchburg State UniversityAUBURN — Fitchburg State University recently released its Dean’s List forthe spring 2020 semester, and Elizabeth Mirekuaa Lartey, LPN, was among thoseearning honors.Elizabeth Mirekuaa Lartey, LPN of Worcester is a dedicated nurse at the LifeCare Center of Auburn. She is a full-time student in the LPN to BSN program. Heracademic accomplishments at Fitchburg State University during the spring 2020semester resulted in her being named to the Dean’s List. To qualify for the Dean’sList, full-time students must have earned at least a 3.2 grade point average for thesemester. In a letter by Dr. William Cummings, Dean of Student Affairs, Larteywas wished continued academic success and recognized that her accomplishmentsreflect dedication to her studies and a commitment to academic success.Lartey is a 2018 graduate of Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy in Charlton.While at Bay Path Lartey was active with many volunteer activities such as BloodPressure Clinics. She was inducted to the National Technical Honor Society andwas an Officer for the UNICEF Club. She represented the PN Class of 2018 forthe SkillsUSA District CPR/First Aid Competition. She is Certified in InfusionTherapy/Central Line Care through Intravenous Edu. In 2015 she obtained herPhlebotomy Certification at the Fieldstone School in Worcester.State enters thirdphase of re-openingBY KEVIN FLANDERSSTAFF WRITERREGION – Local businesses continue to reopenas part of the state’s thirdphase, including fitnesscenters, health clubs, andmovie theaters.Gov. Charlie Bakerlaunched the third phaseof reopening on July 6,with specific guidancefor each industry. TheGovernor thanks residents and business owners across the state fortheir efforts in mitigatingthe spread of COVID-19.After a careful review ofstatewide health metrics,Baker’s team felt comfortable with progressingto the third phase.“Thanks to the hardwork everyone has put inso far, more places will beable to reopen with strictguidelines,” Baker said.“Phase three containssome bigger players thatwill draw more peopleinto indoor settings. Thisphase will last significantly longer than otherphases so we can closelymonitor the impacts.”The third phase ofreopening also allows thefollowing organizationsand businesses to return:Outdoor performancevenuesMuseums, cultural venues, and historical sitesCertain indoor recreational activities withlow potential for contactProfessionalsportsteams, under the authority of league-wide rulesTurn To RE-OPENING page A9Second Chance continues toevolve for the sake of petslow-cost vaccine clinicsand spay/neuter clinicsto help all pet ownerscare for their pets.CourtesyRebel and Olive are two dogs helped by Second Chance.EAST BROOKFIELD— Second Chance AnimalServices helped 40,000pets last year. Less than5 percent of those petsever entered the shelterdoors. These two numbers tell a very compelling story about the rapidly changing landscapeof animal welfare. It’s astory of innovation thatSecond Chance has beenwriting for over twodecades that comes downto a single question: Howdo we help pets in need?When Second Chancewas founded in 1999,the biggest need forpets seemed to be ahome. Across the country puppies and kittenswere being euthanizedby shelters who had nospace. Recognizing theroot of the problem,Second Chance pioneered656525 103919low-cost spay/neuter andferal programs to providea long-term solution to petoverpopulation. Thesetwo successful programshave helped 55,000 pets todate through spay/neuterand prevented an untoldnumber of unwanted offspring from ending up inshelters.In the following years,as pet owners told SecondChance they could notafford to keep their pet,Second Chance established a nonprofit veterinary hospital programand a pet food pantry program. Today, pet owners who may suddenlyfind themselves struggling financially can getpet food from affiliatedlocal food pantries andhave access to veterinarycare for their belovedpets. Second Chance’sCommunity VeterinaryHospitals in Springfield,Worcester and NorthBrookfield offer subsidized rates for qualifiedhouseholds, to help keeppets in their homes. Allthree locations providefull-service care, plus“When I started working in animal welfare,the euthanasia rate waswell over 20 million petsa year in the UnitedStates,” notes SecondChance founder SherylBlancato. “Through thehard work of organizations across the country, that number is now625,000 and we are ontrack to hit zero in thenext couple years. Everyday, I ask ‘How can weinnovate to help evenmore pets? What do theyreally need?’”Blancato says thegreatest needs for thefuture will be medicaland behavioral. There’scurrently a shortage ofveterinary professionals, which is why SecondChance has partneredwith Bay Path VocationalTechnical High School toestablish a VeterinaryEducation Center at theirnew Southbridge veterinary hospital which isexpected to open nextsummer. The hospitalwill be open year-roundproviding the samehigh-quality care synonymous with SecondChance hospitals, whilethe lower-level of thebuilding will house aclassroom and learninglab to help prepare thenext generation of animalwelfare professionals tocarry the torch.Businesses and individuals interested insupporting the future ofanimal welfare by sponsoring a room in the neweducational hospital canvisit www.secondchanceanimals.org/.Elizabeth LarteyOfficials cautionagainst threat of EEEBY KEVIN FLANDERSSTAFF WRITERREGION – As COVID-19 numbers decline statewide and theCommonwealth continues to reopen,officials are monitoring an entirely different threat – Eastern EquineEncephalitis.Last year, New England saw a significant increase in EEE cases. SixMassachusetts residents died as aresult of EEE in 2019, plus anotherthree deaths in Connecticut. The threatbecame so severe in September thatfall sports and other activities had to berescheduled to daylight hours or heldindoors.Ten months later, with the recentannouncement of the state’s first positive EEE detection in mosquitoes in2020, officials are urging residents touse caution to prevent another outbreak.Last week, the MassachusettsDepartmentofPublicHealthannounced that the EEE virus wasdetected in mosquitoes collected inOrange. No human or animal cases ofEEE have been detected yet, but officials have already increased the EEEthreat level to moderate in the communities of Orange and Athol.In 2019, southern Worcester Countyand the Blackstone Valley were heavilyaffected by positive EEE cases. Officialswant to get out ahead of the virus thisyear.“We have been preparing for EEEactivity this year,’’ said MassachusettsPublic Health Commissioner MonicaBharel. “It is early in the year forthe first evidence of EEE. Therefore,continued mosquito surveillance overthe next several weeks will help usunderstand more about how quicklythe virus might emerge this year.”EEE is a rare but serious disease thatcan affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through thebite of an infected mosquito; it can alsobe passed to domestic animals.“People have been spending timeindoors due to COVID-19, and now, aswe venture out, we want to remindpeople about the need to protect themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes,’’ saidState Epidemiologist Catherine Brown.“We are also asking people to remainaware of the level of virus activity inareas where they live, work, and play.”The best way to protect yourselfagainst EEE is to apply insect repellentwhen outdoors. Use a repellent withan EPA-registered ingredient; DEETproducts should not be used on infantsunder two months of age and shouldbe used in concentrations of 30 percentor less on older children. Oil of lemoneucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.Additionally, residents are asked toavoid being outdoors during peak mosquito hours between dusk and dawn.Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening orearly morning.Experts also recommend wearinglong-sleeved shirts, long pants, andsocks when outdoors. Moreover, youcan reduce mosquito activity aroundyour home by draining standingwater. Mosquitoes lay their eggs instanding water that can collect in buckets, wheelbarrows, birdbaths, flowerpots, and wading pools. Residents areasked to change water in birdbaths frequently and check gutters and drainsfor the proper flow of water.Residents can also protect theirhomes by ensuring that all windowsand doors have tightly fitting screenswith no holes or tears.Animal owners should also takeseveral precautions to reduce risks.Water troughs should be flushed outat least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes nearpaddock areas. Horse owners shouldkeep their animals in indoor stalls atnight to reduce their risk of exposure tomosquitoes. Also, owners should speakwith their veterinarians about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals, as well as vaccinations to preventWest Nile virus and EEE.If an animal is suspected of havingWNV or EEE, owners are requiredto contact the Department of PublicHealth (DPH) at 617-983-6800.For more information about WNVand EEE, visit www.mass.gov/mosquitoesandticks. You can also call the DPHDivision of Epidemiology at 617-9836800.
2 The Auburn News Friday, July 17, 2020Rotary recognizes garden creatorCourtesyGarden creator, Joe Coan (left) with Rotary Past-District Governor Klaus Hachfeld.Coming onJuly 24DeadlineJuly 17 noonStonebridge Presspresents Fun In The SunReaching up to43,000 householdsall by mail whenyou run in all7 publicationsPerfect for ice cream, mini golf,driving ranges, golf courses, bowling alleys,berry picking, breweries, animal farms,gift shops, antique shops, orchards,boat rentals, bait & tackle & more!For the Spencer New Leader,Charlton Villager, Auburn News,& Blackstone Valley TribunePrices below:1 Paper - Cost 40/ per 2.4” X 4” blockCall June at 508-909-4062or emailjsima@stonebridgepress.newsone paper (reg. 64)4 Papers - 100 (reg. 160)ALL 7 Mass Papers - 175 (reg. 224)STURBRIDGE—TheCommunity Food Collaborative(CFC) committee held its monthly meeting at the garden located behind the Town Hall inSturbridge recently after the regular work shift. The volunteergroup had lots to discuss on theiragenda and did so while maintaining proper social distancing.The highlight of the meetingcame when Sturbridge RotaryPast-District Governor KlausHachfeld, also a member ofthe CFC committee, surprisedCFC President Joe Coan witha Rotary Paul Harris FellowRecognition. This recognition isa way of honoring an individualwho has gone above and beyondin doing something for the betterment of man and/or the community. In Coan’s case, the recognition was for his idea andpursuit of creating a communityCall Mikaela at 508-909-4124or emailmikaela@stonebridgepress.newsYour Choice From Below:Blackstone Valley Tribune, Charlton Villager,Sturbridge Villager, Auburn News, Webster Times,Southbridge News, Spencer New Leader“While the garden is an unusual and informal setting to present this recognition,” RotaryPast-District Governor Hachfeldcommented, “it was the logicalplace to present it. During thepandemic, Sturbridge Rotaryhas been meeting weekly onZoom but the Zoom platformisn’t conducive to making a per-sonal presentation.”A surprised Coan, while appreciative of the recognition, wasquick to stress the recognitiongoes to everyone who volunteersat the garden.“The idea to start this gardenquickly gained the support ofthe town and business leaderswho have faithfully sponsoredus each year, as well as the garden’s committee members andvolunteers who work to growall the great produce,” Coansaid. “I’d also like to add thatwithout the encouragement andsupport we received from theRotary Community Corps, comprised of Sturbridge Rotary andSouthbridge Rotary, it may havetaken a lot longer to launch thisgreat volunteer community project.”Bryant University studentsnamed to Dean’s ListFor the Sturbridge Villager,Southbridge News, & Webster TimesDouble/triple blocks availableif you need more spacegarden to help feed local hungryindividuals. The garden is in itsthird year, donates everythingit grows to the Saint John PaulII Food Pantry that distributesit to the local food insecure individuals in our communities.The garden is supported by thecommunity and operates totallyby volunteers. The SturbridgeRotary Club donated 1,000 tothe Rotary Foundation in Coan’sname in order to honor him witha Paul Harris Fellow.SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Bryant University is dedicated to the pursuit, recognition, and celebration ofacademic excellence. The University is pleased to recognize the students who have been named to theDeans’ List for the spring 2020 semester.“These outstanding achievements areparticularly commendable as studentshave overcome significant challengesto demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence,” says Provost andChief Academic Officer Glenn Sulmasy,JD, LL.M. “I am impressed and proud oftheir resilience, dedication, and innovative spirit.”Congratulations on this outstandingachievement!Jack Boyd, class of 2023,from AuburnGAS GRILL SALEHelen Hatzopoulos, class of 2021, from65” LG Reg. 649.99 569.99 AuburnOVER 500 IN STOCK!Emily Lancaster, class of 2021, from70” Smart Reg. 799.99 599.99AuburnAIR CONDITIONERS Vizio 58” Reg. 449.99 369.99About Bryant UniversityOVER 1000 IN STOCK! 43” LG Reg. 349.99 299.99For 157 years, Bryant University hasbeen at the forefront of delivering anexceptional education that anticipatesSAMSUNG DELUXEDELUXE TOP LOADGE FRONT LOADthe future and prepares students toGAS STOVEWASHERWASHERbe innovative leaders of character inReg. 799Reg. 499 99a changing world. 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FT.REFRIGERATORReg. 199900Reg. 79900169999 69999 7300 LGWASHEROR DRYERReg. 74900649 99SIDE BY SIDESTAINLESS STEELREFRIGERATORReg. 1699001199 99PRICES GOOD WHILE SUPPLIES LASTINSTANT FINANCING UP TO 10,000Check www.whitcosales.com for special coupon 00449 0069969900749 00569 00599 00799WHITCOHow to UseOFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:30pmTo Subscribe, or for Subscription ServicesKerri Peterson (508) 909-4103E-mail kerri@stonebridgepress.newsTo Place a Classified Ad(508) 909-4111To Fax The Auburn News: (508)764-8015To Print An Obituary:E-mail obits@stonebridgepress.newsCall: 508-909-4149Fax to Brendan Berube 508-764-8015To Submit A Letter to the Editor:E-mail the Editor at news@stonebridgepress.newsTo Submit Calendar Items:E-mail news@stonebridgepress.newsThe Auburn News (546-680) is published weekly for 45 peryear (in county) by Stonebridge Press, 25 Elm St., Southbridge,MA 01550. Out of county rate is 56 per year. Periodicalspostage paid at Southbridge. To subscribe call(800) 367-9898. POSTMASTER: Send address changes toThe Auburn News, P.O. Box 90, Southbridge, MA 01550WE HAVEBIKESINSTOCKSunday Noon- 7pm140 Main St., Spencer, MA508-885-9343A Stonebridge Press publicationAUBURN NEWSSTAFF DIRECTORYEditorBrendan Berube(508) 909-4106news@stonebridgepress.newsLocal News and AdvertisingPhone: (508) 764-4325Fax : (508) 764-8015To Place a Retail AdJune President & PublisherFrank G. Chilinski(508) 909-4101frank@stonebridgepress.newsBusiness ManagerRyan Corneau(603) 677-9082ryan@salmonpress.newsOperations DirectorJim DiNicola(508) 764-4325EditorBrendan Berube(508) agerJulie Clarke(508) 909-4105production@stonebridgepress.newsFairfield UniversitycongratulatesDean’s List studentsFAIRFIELD, Conn. — ShamrockBarrera of Auburn received Deans ListHonors for the Spring 2020 semester.In order to be placed on the Dean’sList, students must have completed aminimum of 12 credit hours in a semester, have no outstanding or incompletegrades for that semester, and haveattained a semester grade point averageof 3.50 or better.Stonebridge Press photo policyAs a community oriented family of newspapers, Stonebridge Presswelcomes photos from readers, business owners, and other outsidesources for publication in any of its titles. Any photos submitted forpublication become the property of Stonebridge Press, and maybe displayed in our newspapers, as well as on our Web site. Theymay also be made available for resale, with any proceeds going toStonebridge Press and/or the photo re-print vendor.www.StonebridgePress.com
Friday, July 17, 2020 School Committee addressesAP course confusionBY JASON BLEAUCORRESPONDENTDUDLEY/CHARLTON – With theschool year officially over, attention hasturned to summer courses and the fallsemester in the Dudley Charlton RegionalSchool District, and there seems to havebeen some confusion among students andparents as to how Advanced Placement,or AP, courses are being handled atShepherd Hill Regional High School.AP courses constitute the highest levelof education for a given class in highschool and, as such, usually requireincoming students to complete workduring the summer to prepare for therigorous courses. However, at a schoolcommittee meeting in late July committee member Stephanie Reed revealed shehad received communications from parents and students that implied that someAP courses may not take place and thatsummer work had not been assigned.Reed read a statement that was sentout to parents from the Shepherd Hillprincipal stating that the school was hesitant to provide summer assignmentsfor students who requested AP coursesfor the upcoming year due to questionsregarding the scheduling for the fall andbudget concerns sparked from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.Shepherd Hill Principal WilliamChaplin clarified that he wrote the communication and the intent was not tocreate confusion but to be considerateof students as the course schedule forthe next year is finalized and make surestudents aren’t doing unnecessary workfor classes they may not be able to take.“That was a pause. I didn’t want someone to jump into AP work right afterschool was over. All I ask, if you read thefull thing, is we would get back to themand assign work at the end of July, so itwas more of a pause. There was nothingin there about no AP courses or anythinglike that,” said Chaplin.Superintendent Steven Lamarche alsocommented on the situation noting thereare still many unknowns for the upcoming school year and called Chaplin’srelease a “proactive” measure in case theschool is unable to offer the full slate ofAP courses.“If the state asks us to reduce our budget by 5 million, we are going to have tomake cuts somewhere,” said Lamarche.“We would hate to ask students to do aboat load of work during the summerand that happen to be the one course thatwe couldn’t run because we had to cut 5million out of our budget.”As far as the district reopening for thesummer and fall, Lamarche said he hasreceived guidance on extended schoolyear programming and expects moreinput from the Department of Elementaryand Secondary Education by the end ofJuly. The district will be adhering to public health guidelines when the buildingsreopen, but they are also making sureto keep parents’ concerns in mind. Thedistrict sent out a survey seeking inputfrom families which the superintendentsaid will be a vital piece of their preparation and planning for the eventuallyreopening.“Our effort was to provide a surveythat is easy to complete and will alwayshave the opportunity for families to sharetheir thinking. So right now, it’s a fivequestion survey — we want to keep themshort, collect as much data as we can sothat we can use it to help guide us movingforward. Keep in mind that the feedbackis critical, and we will continue to ask foryour patience as this work is uncharted for us as a district and a state,” saidLamarche.The Dudley Charlton Regional SchoolDistrict has established a ReopeningCommittee with focuses on operationsand resources, social and emotionalhealth and safety, handling instructionfor students, and communication andconsultation as their main goals for discussion. The group meets weekly and willplay a significant role in helping guidethe reopening preparation and processthroughout the summer.Harrington hospitals receive awards for stroke careS O U T H B R I D G E /WEBSTER — HarringtonHospital in Southbridgeand Harrington Hospital –Webster have each earnedmultiple awards for strokecare from the MassachusettsDepartment of Public Health(DPH) Paul Coverdell StrokeSystems of Care Collaborative.The awards recognize achievements in meeting quality ofcare benchmarks and participation requirements of the collaborative. Both of HarringtonHospital’s Emergency Carelocations are designatedPrimary Stroke ServiceCenters.Harrington Hospital inSouthbridge received awardsfor achieving door-to-CTtimes of 25 minutes or less forat least 75 percent of strokepatients, and for completingthe 30-day American HeartAssociation (AHA) get withthe Guidelines Post-DischargeFollow-Up form for at least75 percent of dischargedpatients.Harrington Hospital –Webster also received anaward for meeting the door-toCT time of 25 minutes or less,as well as an award for completing a dysphagia (difficultyswallowing) screen on at least95 percent of stroke patients.“The ability to rapidlyidentify and treat patientswho exhibit signs and symptoms of stroke is critical toensuring the best possiblerecovery for these patients,”said Harrington HealthCareSystem President and CEOEd Moore. “Our EmergencyCare team works tirelessly toensure that we meet or exceedbest practices for stroke care.We strive for the best possible outcomes for all of ourpatients and that is the ultimate reward, but we’re sopleased that our efforts havebeen recognized with theseawards as well.”Harrington Hospital’s nurses and doctors work in collaboration with the UMassMemorial Medical CenterDepartment of NeurologyTeleStroke Program to provide 24/7 on-demand emergency neurology consultation tosubscriber hospitals in orderto improve the care of strokepatients in the community.The program utilizes twoway, audio-visual teleconferencing technology to allow theassessment and treatment ofadmitted patients or patientswho arrive in HarringtonHospital’s Emergency CareCenters with suspected strokesymptoms.These Coverdell awards arethe latest in a series of recognitions awarded to HarringtonHealthCare System recentlyfor quality of care. In May thehealthcare system was awarded its 14th grade “A” fromin the spring 2020 LeapfrogHospital Safety Grade, anational distinction recognizing Harrington HealthCareSystem’s achievements providing safer health care. Andin March, Harrington Hospitalwas named a Blue DistinctionCenter for Substance UseTreatment and Recovery,one of just six Massachusettsfacilities to receive this newdistinction from Blue CrossBlue Shield of Massachusetts(BCBSMA).Prior awards for the hospital’s stroke care include theSCORE (Stroke CollaborativeReaching for Excellence)Defect-Free Care Awardfrom the Paul CoverdellNationalAcuteStrokeProgram; the American HeartAssociation/American StrokeAssociation’s Get With TheGuidelines -Stroke Gold PlusQuality Achievement Awardin 2016; and the Get With TheGuidelines -Stroke SilverPlus award in 2014.AboutHarringtonHealthCare SystemHarringtonHealthCareSystem is a comprehensiveregional healthcare systemserving more than 25 communities across south centralMassachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. Thesystem includes HarringtonHospital in Southbridge,Harrington HealthCare atWebster and three additionalmajor medical office buildings: Harrington HealthCareat Charlton, HarringtonHealthCare at 169, also inCharlton, and HarringtonHealthCare at Spencer;HarringtonPhysicianServices, our primary careand multi-specialty physiciangroup; UrgentCare Express atHarrington in Charlton andOxford; The Cancer Center atHarrington in Southbridge,and the region’s largestBehavioral Health programsfor mental health and substance use. www.harringtonhospital.orgThe Auburn News 3Accuracy WatchThe Auburn News is committed to accuracyin all its news reports. Although numeroussafeguards are in place to ensure accuratereporting, mistakes can occur.Confirmed fact errors will be corrected atthe top right hand corner of page 3 in a timelymanner.If you find a mistake, call (508) 909-4106or email news@stonebridgepress.news duringnormal business hours. During non-businesshours, leave a message in the editor’s voicemailbox. The editor will return your phonecall.Frost announcesfunding for districtroads and bridgesBOSTON — Rep. Paul K. Frost(R-Auburn) is pleased to announcethe Legislature has passed House Bill4803, An Act financing improvementsto municipal roads and bridges, forFiscal Year 2021 in accordance with theCommonwealth’s Chapter 90 program.“Chapter 90” is a 100 percent reimbursable system providing fundingassistance for cities and towns to carryout roadway construction, renovation,and improvement projects. It was established by the Legislature in 1973 andallocates according to a formula basedon the weighted average of a community’s population, employment, and totalroad miles. As passed in H.4803, the 7thWorcester District is set to receive thefollowing funding: 611,723 for the Town of Auburn 624,115 for the Town of Charlton 424,242 for the Town of Millbury 510,422 for the Town of OxfordFrost said, “This is critical state funding for our towns in this district and allcommunities across the Commonwealthto assist them with repairing and maintaining their local roads and bridges.Local roads are always a priority for residents and businesses within a community, and this state funding will bolsterthe resources municipalities are usingto address them in the ever-challengingNew England climate.”The funding is part of a 200 millionstatewide bond authorization that wasunanimously approved by the Houseof Representatives on June 30. TheMassachusetts Senate enacted H.4803 onJuly 2, and the bill is now on GovernorBaker’s desk to be signed into law.CommunityConnectionYour area guide to buying, dining & shopping locally!Taking care of even the smallest of petsIf It’s ImportantTo You,JEWELERSFine Jewelry & Gifts508-248-9797The Jewelry store where you buy with confidenceDon’t Pay Too Much for PropanePROPANEPRICE PER GAL. Tanks Filled75-150 . 2.20to 80%150-300 . 1.85Driver300-500 . 1.65Discretion500 PLUS . CALL OFFICEDON’T PAY TOO MUCH FOR OIL! 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4 The Auburn News Friday, July 17, 2020Oxford selectmen grant Ruby a reprieveBY GUS STEEVESCORRESPONDENTOXFORD – Issues surrounding a Charlton Streetdog named Ruby got extended at the last selectmen’smeeting, when the board approved a delay of thefamily’s time to comply with the town’s most recentorders.By a 4-0 vote, they granted owner Kim Parker’srequest to extend the time she has to fence in herproperty to Aug 31.Back in May, selectmen voted to require that fencing and other restrictions be added to an existingcontainment order as what amounted to a last chancefor Parker to keep Ruby. That hearing was sparked bya March 26 incident in which Ruby attacked anotherdog who was being walked by his owner and son.The dog already had a record at that point; previousattacks on animals and people prompted the selectmen to deem Ruby “dangerous” in August 2017. Thatdeclaration resulted in a lengthy order on her and herowners, Kim Parker and Kevin Kiley, that requiredleashing and muzzling at all times outside her home,even while on their property.“I can understand financial constraints as a reasonto request an extension,” said Selectman MeaghanTroiano. “I’m just curious are we certain this isgoing to happen by Aug. 31? What if it doesn’t?”Town Manager Jen Callahan said Animal ControlOfficer Kelly Flynn told her she believes “efforts onbehalf of the dog’s owners are sincere. They do plan todo this; it’s not an effort to shirk their responsibility.”Flynn intends to watch the situation and will reportto the selectmen before the deadline if there are problems, she added.Also in canine-related business, Callahan noted theOxford Dog Park reopened July 7 with various Covidrelated restrictions. Among them are standard socialdistancing guidelines plus a prohibition on dogs sharing food and water bowls.Covid-19 comprised a key part of the short July 8meeting. Callahan reported she’s working to reopenmunicipal buildings “very slowly,” crafting plans foreach of them because “every single one
AUBURN — Fitchburg State University recently released its Dean's List for the spring 2020 semester, and Elizabeth Mirekuaa Lartey, LPN, was among those earning honors. Elizabeth Mirekuaa Lartey, LPN of Worcester is a dedicated nurse at the Life Care Center of Auburn. She is a full-time student in the LPN to BSN program. Her
