Citizen Complains About Police

Ken O’Brien

Appearing at last night’s Town Council Meeting, Southbridge citizen Steve Demers leveled allegations against the Southbridge Police Department.

Saying that he has experienced four break-ins at his home on Hartwell Terrace, three since mid-January, Mr. Demers indicated the lack of serious attention from the local department. Among his complaints was the mishandling of a surveillance video provided to the police. At the request of an Assistant District Attorney at the Dudley District Court he sought to regain possession of the video presented to the department. The police were allegedly unable to locate the video. This resulted in his need to replicate it in order to meet the ADA’s request.

Are Town Councilors Wavering On Budget Pledge?

Ken O’Brien

This year, like every year, there was the predictable wailing and gnashing of teeth over setting the tax rate.

And this year, as I have done for the last three years, I will point out that the time is long past to attempt to backpedal. The time to act is not in December but in April when the budget is voted upon.

Therefore I was optimistic on November 17 when Councilor Vecchia read a pledge signed by him and four other councilors to cut the FY 2016 school and departmental budgets by 1% from their FY 2015 levels.

Now, however, there appears to be some waffling and an effort to walk back the conviction expressed in that pledge.

Vecchia Pledge Calls For Reduction In Town Budget

Ken O’Brien

At Monday night’s Town Council Meeting Councilor Albert Vecchia read a pledge to reduce departmental budgets by 1%  from current levels during fiscal year 2016.

The pledge cited four specific reasons for its enactment:

     1.      The pressure on residents from increasing water and        sewer rates;

     2.      The imminent expiration of landfill revenues;

     3.      A stagnant commercial tax base;

     4.      Increased out of school placement.

The pledge was signed by Councilors Moriarty, Carrasco, Vandal, and Estrada as well as by Vecchia.

Sunday Photo-'Toons 1.10

Ken O’Brien

UPDATE: June 25, 10:30 am - A late addition by contributor I.M.Townie.

Well, for the residents of Southbridge, it’s all over except for the yawning and recriminations.

On balance the campaign for the key elective offices has been not inspirational, but rather (if I might coin a word) dispirational.

There are enough candidates about who I am enthusiastic enough to have recommended to the voters.

Vecchia Interprets History

Ken O’Brien

Former councilor Albert D. Vecchia, Jr. and "his" road

Former town councilor Albert D. Vecchia, Jr. had an interesting letter in June 22^nd’s Southbridge Evening News. Titled “Vecchia: Clemence ‘best councilor I ever served with’” it read as follows: