Turley Publications photo By Ruth M. Lyon

North Brookfield Senior Center Director Louise Bouchard introduces the new Council On Aging Outreach Coordinator Glenn Geradi to the Board of Selectmen.

Wendemuth Meadow Property group receives selectmen’s support for grant application

Petraitis on reorganization: ‘I’ll leave it as it is’

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

NORTH BROOKFIELD - The senior center has a new outreach coordinator. Louise Bouchard introduced Glenn Geradi to the select board Tuesday, saying his selection had been the result of a search and interview process.

“Mr. Geradi has spent 30 years helping people with developmental disabilities. We feel he is well qualified, and will work well in the outreach position here,” Bouchard said.

A group of North Brookfield residents formed early this year to explore the possibility of purchasing the land known locally as the Wendemuth Meadow property appeared before the board to report on the group’s activity to date. Alan Hodder, who with his wife Harbour has been instrumental in forming the group, informed the board that, at the suggestion of Selectmen Mary Walter and Jason Petraitis, his committee had checked on the availability of a grant to reimburse members for funds raised privately for appraisal of the property. Such a grant is available, he reported, and his committee has completed the application, which required the board’s signature; a letter designating a project director is also required.

The grant stands a good likelihood of approval if applicants go forward with the named project – the purchase, he said.

One requirement, he explained, is that a program director be named, and that director be a member or work closely with the town’s conservation commission. “Since Ann Hicks is a conservation commission member, and has been a force behind this project, we have named her program director. We are working with an appraiser through the East Quabbin Land Trust.” Hodder said.

“We feel it is timely at this point to re-convene the committee; we’re here to invite this board and any other interested residents to attend the meeting Sunday, May 23 at 3:30, in the community room of the library,” he continued. He went on to explain that that the committee had raised $3,200 to cover the cost of appraisal in four days,” just by contacting three dozen interested people. If we are reimbursed for the appraisal costs through the grant, those funds will probably be used toward some other related expenses.”

In response to a question from a resident, as to the choice of properties to purchase, mentioning a Town Farm Road parcel also for sale, Ann Hicks responded that“ it just happened.” Explaining her interest in land preservation, she said the availability of the property had been brought to her attention by the realtor representing the owner. “Many residents of town have a particular affection for the place, they recall it as a special place owned by a special family; they’d watched it being farmed for years. It’s close to town, people can walk there. It’s adjacent to the town forest. It’s historic, it’s loved. But, she commented, “the property on Town Farm Road sounds really cool. We’re just learning how to do this.”

Hodder said the land grant being sought through East Quabbin Land Trust might cover 68 percent of the purchase price. “We’re in the preliminary stage now. We have to arrive at an agreement as to price. It’s premature to say what will happen. We hope to have information to place before the town in the fall. At this point, we’re putting things in place.

Walter, remarking that “we’re responding to a community groundswell; one posting brought 40 people to a meeting,” voiced her enthusiasm for the project.

The board voted to sign Hodder’s documents as requested.

Robert Potvin, local historian, now of West Brookfield but with long-time association with this town, spoke of his concern for marble tablets currently attached to walls on the second story of the town hall. Upon these tablets, he said, are engraved the names of 31 men from North Brookfield who died in the Civil War. Reminding the board that the town hall is closed due to safety issues, and the second floor rooms have been in disuse for over 50 years, he suggested that the tablets be removed and moved to a location in the elementary school. “The old bell is on display there, and I believe the tablets should be there as well. There should be a ceremony, and children should learn of the sacrifices men of our town made. I believe steps should be taken to protect and preserve this part of our history,” he said.

Members of town committees appeared before the board to report on current activities of their committees, and of vacancies, if any, that exist. Committee members are re-appointed in June; selectmen had sought their appearance to determine the level of activity extent within the appointive groups.

Immediately prior to adjournment of the meeting, when possible future agenda items had been discussed, former selectman Frank Hubacz rose to speak, asking whether the subject discussed last week, the reorganization of the board, would be placed on the upcoming agenda.

Petraitis responded, saying, “I’ve weighed all arguments, and though I may entertain a motion for that item some time in the future, I’ll leave it as it is at this time.”

Another former selectman, Richard Chabot, asked to be heard, to which Petraitis said, “I’ve already heard what you have to say.”

Chabot said, “That was last week, this is this week.” He attempted to argue and to decry the action of Petraitis and Filipkowski in failing to observe tradition in naming the departing member of the board the chairmanship in the final year of service; however, Petraitis shouted above him and banged his gavel.

Chabot, stating that he had a question, first observed that Walter is the town’s first female selectman, then asked, “how are you explaining your actions to your wife and daughter?”

Petraitis announced that the meeting was adjourned.